Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of January 4, 2023
Rev. Catherine Nance
This prayer is adapted from Sunday morning’s pastoral prayer, January 1, 2023. On this fourth day of the new year, and also the eleventh day of Christmas, we invite you to join in prayer …
How good it is to be here in a new year, O God, to worship you. We have been saying all through Advent, the people who have walked in great darkness on them light has shined; we have heard the words, Arise shine for your light has come. At the beginning of a new year, may we hold on to the Light of Christmas.
Let us pray to the lord: Let the light of Christ shine on all people.
“All people” … those who come from far away places bearing gifts, those who shop at the Food Co-op and Sharing Shop at Beacon of Hope, all people.
“All people.” We confess that we have problems with that phrase. You know that about us. When we say, “all people,” we cannot help but categorize, Lord. There are those special ones close to us; the ones we dearly love. There are those who live in our community – and we do care about their well-being. Then there are those who disagree with us; those who are so different …those who live in places we do not know about. We are grateful, God of All People, that it is not up to us to decide where your light shines. Forgive us when our actions or words or indifference would cast a shadow. Thank you for including us in all people – may we reflect your light and not hide it.
Let us pray to the Lord: Let the light of Christ shine on all people.
This is a day of reflection, O God of all days. We look back over the past year mostly with thanksgiving as we remember how you have revealed your love and presence to us. You are indeed steadfast.
Blessed Lord, into our darkness you have brought the Light of your love. You have given to us a reminder of the many ways in which you care for us and guide us. This has been a hectic time for so many of us. We have invested ourselves, our energies, and our resources in a flurry of activities; and now we are coming to the end of this calendar year, with a new year in view, and we wonder how we are going to have the energy that the new year will demand. Help us place our trust and our lives in your care. Give us strength and courage for the times ahead. Let love be the foundation from which all our actions spring.
Let us pray to the Lord: Let the light of Christ shine on all people.
Because you love us, we are called to love others. We pray for so many this morning. There are those who are sick; may your healing light shine on them. There are those who are worried, anxious, or depressed. May your comforting light shine on them. We pray for world leaders and city managers, who have responsibilities and decisions to make that we cannot imagine, may your light of clarity and goodwill shine on them. For those who are fighting a war, O God, we are bold to pray that the light of your peace would bring them hope.
Let us pray to the Lord: Let the light of Christ shine on all people.
Oh God, we pray that the more we recount your steadfast love toward us, that you would increase our affection and love for you. As we begin this year with worship, magnifying your name and acknowledging you are the source of all that is life, love, and light, we join with all people to offer the prayer your son, our savior, Jesus Christ taught us to pray:
We pray for …
- Teachers who are beginning a new year, a new semester, a new class; give them strength and guidance to manage their classes.
- Those who experienced death of a loved one over Christmas
- A church member in hospital waiting on test results to determine treatment to fight infection
- A mother who has fallen and broken her pelvis; prayers for her and her family
- A daughter having surgery on hand
- A niece waiting on news about a job
- A college student who is struggling with decisions about next steps
- A family member beginning addiction rehab program
- A wife dealing with depression
- A brother who had pacemaker put in; thankful surgery went well
- Blessings and prayers of mercy and protection for the year; good health to all! Love and Joy for all! May we all grow in wisdom of the Lord!
We offer prayers of thanksgiving for …
- A mother who is regaining her strength after a long rehab
- Couples announcing their engagements
- Successful back surgery
- Healing
- Colleagues at work who make me feel special!
- Adult children finding their way
- Wonderful visits with family and safe flights over Christmas!
- Positive outcome in court
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
