Methodist Prayer Handbook

Our Story, Our Song

From ancient times, communities have defined themselves by the stories they tell and the songs they sing about themselves. In 2025/2026 we call upon the Methodist people to join us in a soul expedition deep into the heart of our calling, journeying afresh into the story of grace and the vocation that God has placed upon us.

We invite you to immerse yourself in the story of grace – learning to live, work, pray and play in ways both true to our roots and open to the presence of God in the songs and stories of others.

We encourage churches, circuits and districts to ask some fundamental shaping questions about themselves: What story do we want to tell about ourselves? What song is God calling us to sing? How shall we sing our song in a strange land? How will the story of grace root us and shape us as we unfold the next chapter of our story?

The Methodist Church is committed to living out a story that calls us to respond to the gospel of God’s love in Jesus Christ by living out our discipleship in worship and mission.

We seek to sing a song rooted in grace, deep memory and present experience, which yearns for the transformation of ourselves, our neighbours and our world, building communities that are growing, inclusive, evangelistic and justice seeking – shaped by the pattern of Christ and empowered by God’s Spirit. The psalmist calls us to express this in vibrant, festal worship in the context of God’s glory and presence and a vision of all people and all creation bringing their praise.

As we explore this theme, we pray that as a people we will grow in hope and confidence learning to sing afresh, or perhaps for the first time, songs new and old, discovering:

• A Shared Story – exploring the richness of God’s love and grace to, with and for us in Christ, learning to live by hope for the future, and rediscovering our story by celebrating our roots.
• A Shared Harmony – responding by living in a way that draws others to bring their praise to Jesus and by longing and working for a world transformed.
• A New Song – sharing in a soul expedition as we journey with God’s Spirit to discover the new songs that God is inspiring within, among and around us.
• A New Chapter – rediscovering the gifts of testimony and storytelling as we commit ourselves to hear not only our own voices, but the voice of Christ amongst those who are marginalised, sharing stories of lament, hope, surprise, expectation and festal joy for opening a new chapter in our mission.