Give us insight to discern your will for us
These words, or similar, have been an important part of my prayer life recently. I’ve been helping — or at least I hope I’ve been of some help — a good friend finally reach a decision about where she should be going in her ministry. It has been a subject that has come up several times over the last few years. I’ve felt for a long time that Reader ministry would be right for her, would go some way towards answering God’s calling on her life in the most appropriate way.
There has been a long period of discernment. But now things are beginning to move incredibly quickly. She is in the process of making her application to offer for Reader ministry. And I’m in the process of writing her a reference. It has been an honour, and a tremendous pleasure, to walk this walk with my friend.
But I am a little nervous about it all. I’m not a vocations advisor (though she has seen one), and nor have I had any training in the field. All I’ve got are my prayers; and lots of doubts and questions. Have I given the right advice? Have I steered her? Or has it been God all along? Is Readership right for her? Should she be offering for ordination? etc. etc. etc.??
All questions I can remember only too well facing before I offered myself for Readership. And in the nearly ten years since I was licensed I’ve never felt the decision was wrong. I hope, and pray, that my friend will be fortunate enough to feel the same.
Eternal God,
give us insight
to discern your will for us,
to give up what harms us,
and to seek the perfection we are promised
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Additional Collect for the Third Sunday of Lent
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Paul, I have had almost an identical experience a number of times. Try not to worry about if you have said the right or wrong thing, when you feel you are advising in this way. Just focus on the Heart of God and pause before giving answers to people, seek His Love in how you should respond. A walk alongside someone during discernment of God’s call upon their life is a privilege and a pleasure. God chooses us to be the friend who can listen and coach the person through their thoughts and prays, within their own walk.
So give thanks and be ready for God to bring someone else to you! Amen!
Thank you for those kind comments and the encouragement Steve.
It has been a tremendous pleasure to be involved in this process; not just because I was trying to help a friend, but also because in some way I’ve felt that it was something God wanted me to do. Maybe that is something that needs further thought and prayer on my part. And maybe you’re right, and God will send someone else to me. Should that happen, yes, I will give thanks again, and do my utmost to prayerfully help them.
An update to this topic:
My friend had her selection conference yesterday (17 May), and has been selected for training. She begins next month, and is looking forward to it immensely. Wonderful news!