Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of June 13, 2021
Written by Rev. Jan Buxton Wade
We come into your presence, Great Sower of Seeds, seeking your assurance that new growth is still possible within us. In many ways we have allowed our faith to grow dormant as we focused on our own travails associated with the pandemic. We indeed cried out loudly to you throughout the year just passed; but we have failed to recognize your hand behind the miracle of the preventive vaccines. And truly it was your Spirit working within all those courageous ones who risked their own lives to help others in a multitude of ways. Forgive our slowness in acknowledging your silent power of healing and renewal that has never failed us.
Your generous hand ever sprinkles new ideas and new opportunities our way; we admit, however, we often remain on that tired ground we have always traversed. We’ve become so accustomed to our old habits and old patterns of thinking that we prevent your fresh concepts from germinating. O Planter of Newness, help us to conquer our fears and insecurities that we might never again stifle your dreams. Grant that we may so till the soil of our hearts that we would be prepared always to receive the seeds you sow within, and to tend them till they flourish to proclaim our praise and gratitude.
God of Memory, as you have never forgotten us, we give thanks for each of your servants who remembered us, who personally supported us throughout the pandemic, and those who uphold us now, especially . . . . . . . . . . And in this springtime as we celebrate the growth of our children, and as we honor our high school and college graduates, let us give thanks for those who nurtured our own faith throughout our growing years, especially these . . . . . . . . . We praise you for the constancy of your love and grace that continues throughout the generations, working through each of us in surprising ways to fulfill your purpose.
Receive now, we pray, these recent thanksgivings offered by your friends at Church Street; and be attentive, O Holy One, to each of those who bring their hardships and challenges to you, for you know each one by name:
Gratitudes:
- Thanksgiving for a successful colon surgery
- A family visit to VA for a grandson’s graduation
- Son has been alcohol-free for a month
- Widow sends thanks to church for arranging her vaccine
- Gratitude for the work of the Covid Task Force
- Celebration of lengthy visit with children & grandchildren
- Regathering of Sunday School classes
- A mother recuperates at home — successful gall bladder surgery
- God’s granting focus and safety in a daughter’s sporting events
- Thanksgiving for unselfish friend who knows just when to call
- Homebound member offers gratitude for continued contacts by church family
Concerns:
- Family and friends mourning death of a beloved friend in Christ
- For God to work in the soul of a son addicted to various substances
- Recovery for a brother in treatment for addiction
- Member undergoing radiation treatments
- Beloved husband dealing with effects of Parkinson’s
- Sustaining grace for loved one with brain tumor
- Good friend having extensive ENT tests and surgeries
- Grieving parent whose son died tragically on Saturday
- Restoration of a longtime relationship
- Healing of painful back malady that prevents member from working
- God’s healing hand upon a husband with liver disease
- Strengthening of a new marriage
- Grandson in treatment for leukemia
- Forgiveness to be at work within a family
- Healing for husband with debilitating illness
- Member suffering severe depression
- Sustaining husband and wife recovering from surgeries
- Wisdom and guidance for our incoming bishop
Lord of the Harvest, as your Son taught us, we believe there will be a season when all your servants will be gathered into that abundant land where you dwell. Cultivate our faith in your tender mercy, we pray, that we might stay the course in this life, becoming strong, sturdy, and worthy to abide in your Kingdom of Grace. All these prayers and petitions we lift up to your open heart, offering the words Jesus gave us:
