Weekly Prayer – April 9, 2025

Written by Steve Richardson

God in heaven and in our midst: As our Creator, you hear the rhythms of our heartbeats. You feel the trickling of our tears. You know the ebbs and flows of our souls – – sometimes restless, sometimes joyful, sometimes placid. You, gracious God, are always with us. Thank you for this.

Strengthen us with your grace when we pray. Align our minds with your omniscience as we seek, praise and strive to deepen our relationship with you.

Strengthen us with your grace when we wait. As you surely must know, God, our cultural and social pressures make waiting so difficult. Yet, we’ve learned before that it’s in waiting that we often find wisdom and insight; we discover new ideas and new solutions to problems plaguing us; and we become better aware of your will and hopes for us.

Strengthen us with your grace when we act. Lead us to being kingdom-builders thorough actions of love, generosity, compassion, caregiving, kindness, justice and respect.

Strengthen us with your grace when we speak. Although actions can speak louder than words, words do matter. Thank you for inspired Proverbs such as the one that says, “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

Strengthen us with your grace when we listen. The many, varied voices and message sources clamoring for our attention in our techno-centric world can be confusing, sometimes contradictory. Attune us to your truths. As Paul taught, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

Strengthen us with your grace when we care. Hearten us especially when we care for those who cannot easily care back. In our caring, help us to be more willing to accept tasks that may not always be pleasant or desirable or easy, but bolster the physical, emotional and spiritual sustenance of persons in need.

The days of Holy Week are near. When we awake each day, Lord, enter our consciousness, and may we greet you with praise and hosannas. When we journey through each day, may we follow and reflect the examples of love demonstrated by Jesus, despite the fate he knew ahead of him. When we wind down at the close of each day, lead us to prayer and connection with you. When we confront adversity, renew our assurance that in you – – and through you – – there is always hope, wisdom, strength and your peace that’s beyond our understanding.

And now, God of Grace, hear these needs and prayers of others in our congregation. Embrace all represented here with your loving presence and comfort…

We pray for….

• A friend’s mother is having surgery later this month.
• A member’s aunt in Nebraska; under hospice care.
• A member’s sister who has cancer.
• Increased wisdom as a Sunday School class as we study Old Testament scriptures.
• All of those who are experiencing ‘compassion fatigue.’ May they not judge themselves for taking care of their own needs!
• Friends and family going through a difficult time.
• A member who continues to be a witness to God’s love even as they deal with cancer.
• A member who offers prayers on behalf of a friend who is dealing with major loss and heartache in her family … death of a brother in motorcycle accident, diagnosis of cancer in husband. They have three children.
• Peace.
• A member who will be having surgery next Friday to remove gall bladder.
• Those in our family/community who still must struggle with the subtle racism that can be so painful.

We continue to pray for…

• A wife grieving the death of her husband while she recovers from surgery in rehab
• A father who is following up with physician after severe chest pains; prayers for his children.
• Family members/friends who are dealing with addiction issues and dealing with the legal system. 
• A member recovering from an infection and patiently waiting for surgery; thankful for all of the prayers.
• A mother dealing with a recent diagnosis and waiting on further testing.
• Those who are receiving chemo and/or radiation treatments.
• Family members who are trying to balance caregiving and work and family responsibilities.
• Those who are impacted by homelessness.
• So many who are dealing with Alzheimers and how best to care for family members. Praying for strength!

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for…

• A member discharged from hospital and receiving rehab/PT outpatient. Prayers for continued healing!
• For a member’s smooth transition to memory care unit. Spouse gives thanks for the good care he is receiving.
• Successful surgery for a niece
• One who has successfully defended his doctoral dissertation. Looking forward to graduation!
• The joy pets bring us; such loss when they are gone.

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.