Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of November 8, 2023
Steve Richardson
God in heaven and in our midst, we come to you with our prayers, trusting fully in your grace and mercy to receive them.
Your handiwork placed this Earth in its position so we can thrive from the brightness and energy of our sun. As you arranged, on our half of the globe we continue to see the daylight shorten and the nighttime lengthen, and we know the coolness of fall and winter seasons will surround us for the next several months. Still, God, we delight in the changing seasons. Each one brings its beauty and majesty of your creative design. Thank you, God, for the richness of your creation.
Yet, we are troubled, God. Across the world – and even right here in our own neighborhoods – undeserved unrest and suffering afflict so many people. We look to you to fix things. But keep us mindful that we are instruments of your peace, and we are capable and equipped to help fix many problems, especially those that are stained by injustice, selfishness, greed, lack of compassion, oppression, neglect, abuse and other forms of human-infused iniquity. Forgive us when we may be complicit in causing such problems. And inspire us to get to work – – to the fundamental work of loving one another, just as Jesus told us to do.
As you certainly know, though, other forms of suffering are beyond our capacities to resolve. Be it illness, grief over loss, hurt and brokenness caused by forces of nature, personal crisis or other despairs, we pray for your presence, comfort and assurance of showing us paths forward.
Lead us, Lord, to lift and sustain Church Street United Methodist Church through our gifts. Just as the seasons of nature journey through their cycle, so does your church. The current year is almost over, and a new one will soon begin. Members’ financial support is needed for the present, as well as the future. Awaken each of us to the soul-filling joy that comes with giving (especially when it comes to giving generously to your church, where lives are transformed). May all members experience this joy of giving!
Thank you, God, for your many blessings: Blessings known, blessings we tend to take for granted, blessings we don’t even realize, and blessings to come. Lead us to respond to these through sharing your grace with others and through living our lives in ways that demonstrate praise to you.
Most merciful God, hear these needs and expressions of others in our church community. We pray you surround each person with your loving embrace and peace that extends beyond all understanding…
We pray for ….
- A young mother expecting birth of second child SOON! Prayers for good health and easy delivery. Has been a hard pregnancy.
- All of the innocent victims of war. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer!
- A wife in hospital out of town; praying for recovery from emergency surgery; prayers she can return to Knoxville soon!
- Friends who are going through difficult times
- A member recovering from surgery
- A wife grieving the death of her husband; prayers for comfort
- A member’s husband whose lung cancer has spread; prayers that the markers will reveal appropriate treatment.
- A member who has auto-immune diseases and is dealing with stress of illness of husband; prayers for her to stay positive and healthy.
- Continued healing and strength for a husband/father as he recovers from procedures and treatments
- A couple praying and hoping for a baby
- Those who are caring for aging parents and the struggles in relationships that occur
- Comfort & peace for good friend/neighbor facing loss of husband after extended illness
- Those who are battling fires in Anderson, Campbell, and Morgan Counties
- For those having surgeries this week
- For our youth group – especially the 30+ who are attending the Spiritual Life Advance this weekend. Praying for the 10+ adults who are going with them. Prayers for spiritual enrichment!
We offer prayers of thanksgiving for …
- A good visit over the weekend with our children
- “All the Saints” and a beautiful service last Sunday
- Completion of radiation treatments
- Being able to come to church after a long illness
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.
