Week of January 28, 2026
Rev. Tim Best
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God of strength and mercy,
Hear us when we call out to you, gracious Lord. When we lift our voices, with longing, with expectation, out of grief or suffering, hear us. We are drawn to you, and our hearts guide us towards you. Yet, we often feel overwhelmed and overburdened by the world. These burdens can lead us to despair. Do not allow us to become lost in despair. Grant us strength and patience as we wait upon you and desire your presence and action in our world and in our lives.
Comfort those who suffer, and grant justice to the oppressed. Even more, transform our hearts and teach us in your ways. Gift us with hearts of compassion toward others. Inspired by the Psalm, we pray not just for your intervention, but we pray for education and transformation. Renew our hearts and shape our minds that when we see the suffering of others, when we see the needs of others, guide us to the ways you would have us respond. Show us your paths and help us to follow them.
We pray for our nation. We pray that all people would see the humanity of all your children. We have come to a point of such struggle and disagreement that we know not even what to say to friends and neighbors. We don’t know how to pray in the wake of tragedy and in light of the news. Teach us your mercy and your steadfast love. May your church be guided by your wisdom to speak and minister in this moment. We pray for those who are leading, we pray for those who are imprisoned or are in fear, and we pray for Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota.
Gather those who are sick and help them to see your face and to know your goodness. Walk with those who are undergoing treatments or surgeries, tests, or procedures. Hear the cries of those in pain, those who feel alone in their struggles. May we all find hope in the promises of scripture that we would see the goodness of God in the land of the living.
We lift up all our prayers and the needs and joys of this community as we wait with expectation and hope for the coming of your kingdom. As an act of trust in your mercy and goodness we share the concerns of this Church Street family with you.
We pray for ….
- All ministries that are working with people dealing with addiction issues that they may be brought to wholeness
- For a member who is beginning the cancer treatment process with appointments for scans, etc.
- For a 5-year old child in Birmingham diagnosed with brain tumor; prayers for his medical team and family.
- For those adjusting to assisted living centers, memory care, skilled care; and for the families who love them.
- Our neighbors experiencing homelessness
- A family traveling out of the country; for safety and fun!.
We continue to pray for …
- A 43-year old nephew in Baltimore, who is being transferred to a rehab hospital today to continue treatment following implantation last week of a Baclofen Pump to help ease the pain of associated with Cerebral Palsy. Also continued prayers for his mother and other caregivers.
- Spouses who are caring for their spouse; the toil of caregiving and the feeling of isolation. Prayers for mercy and strength.
- A member’s cousin who is waiting on a kidney transplant.
- Friends and family who have needs; prayers for peace and wellbeing.
- Those members who are waiting on test results or waiting for appointments with doctors; may they feel your peace and patience as they wait.
- Those who are sick with flu; may they rest and regain strength and health!
We give thanks for ….
- Volunteers who have helped welcome our homeless neighbors on cold nights.
- The good coordination and communication between Office on Housing Stability, Cokesbury UMC, Eternal Life Harvest Church, ReLaunch, and Church Street UMC as we provide overnight shelter; and for Vestal UMC who supports during the day.
We take heart and seek your strength as we pray together the prayer your Son Jesus Christ has taught us:
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.
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