by Lisa Barrowclough
Lambeth Conference Communications

To conclude the final business plenary of the 13th Lambeth Conference, Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey moved the "Lambeth Call to Prayer" and prayed for God's blessing on the newly released 1999-2000 Anglican Cycle of Prayer, produced by Forward Movement Publications.

"Prayer has undergirded our activity here," said Archbishop Carey. "A spinal column of worship and prayer has held us together." In the call to prayer, the Conference recommitted themselves to prayer "following the example of Christ" and dedicated themselves to "lead people to deepen and strengthen their life of prayer."

Archbishop Carey referred to Scripture in quoting from the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians, which all bishops and spouses have been reading and discussing in Bible study. "You also join in helping us by your prayers, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted to us through the prayers of many" (2 Corinthians 1:11).

Also on Friday afternoon, each bishop received a copy of the 1999-2000 Anglican Cycle of Prayer. The volume was assembled during the Conference, with prayer requests provided by each bishop in the Communion. "The Anglican Cycle of Prayer," said Archbishop Carey, "is one of the things that unites us."