BINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
October 22, 2020
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
Master of the House, we lift up our church family to you and ask that you would bind us together more strongly than ever, even though our doors remain closed due to the lurking virus. The windows and doors of our hearts, on the other hand, can be flung wide, showing the world that the love of Christ is not bound by bolts or locks. Help us remember our vows to support our church by praising your goodness, by lifting up our brothers and sisters in prayer, by seeking your mercy and forgiveness, and by financially undergirding the work of your kingdom. In our moments of self-pity, we might consider our efforts and our gifts insignificant; yet Jesus praised the widow’s mite she softly dropped into the alms basin so long ago. May we give from our hearts, as well, knowing that whatever blessing we extend and whatever gift we offer will be multiplied through your grace.
Loving God, hear our prayer.
Voice of Encouragement, as we consider the ongoing troubles across the globe, we often think little progress has been made in our life-long work for peace and harmony. We confess our fears and we sometimes doubt if we have the energy to move ahead in our quest. Perhaps we should step back and let the younger generations take over for us, we think to ourselves. Ah, but then we hear you calling in the night:
“Wherever there is pain and suffering, you are needed.
Wherever there is loneliness and grief, there is a word only you can speak.
Wherever there is sickness and death, you must carry my love.
Wherever there is hunger and homelessness, you can address those needs.
Wherever there is inequality and oppression, your work must continue.”
Yes, of course, Good Lord, you have been our strength in all times past, and we have every reason to believe you will sustain us.
Loving God, hear our prayer.
Silent Friend, quiet the whirring of our minds and settle the anxieties that cling to our inward parts. And in the silence that ensues, may we offer our gratitude for your continued favors . . . . . . and whisper those who are closest to our hearts . . . . And may your healing breath touch each of these individuals whose welfare is important to your Church Street family:
- Gratitude: Faithful member recovering at home from heart surgery
- Celebration: Infant in NICU for 3 months is now at home with family
- Thanksgiving for our chorister and youth choirs who bless our worship
- Grateful that mother in rehab is remaining positive and is improving
- Prayers for three suffering from depression
- Strength for daughter, sole caregiver for her mother
- Sustaining prayers for mother in hospice care, comfort for her family
- Healing of our nation’s divisiveness, distrust, violence and bitterness
- Prayers for mother with debilitating illness, wisdom for physicians
- Healing for a young father recovering from oral surgery
- Healing of young son with virus and protection of his family
- Cherished husband beginning dialysis today, for recovery
- Prayers for three who are recovering from injurious falls
- A broken family, prayers for sustaining one most wounded
- Prayers for guidance for one searching for a new residence
- Strength for loved ones isolated from families due to virus threat
- God’s peace for elderly friend trying to recover from the virus
Thank you, Sacred One, for hearing our petitions this day, for reminding us that your hope is at work in the world, and for renewing our courage to step out in faith. And receive again, we pray, these words implanted in our hearts by Jesus himself:
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.
