As we bow in prayer together tonight, O God, we cannot help but call you Scooper of Dust. That doesn’t quite sound so holy, but yet, that is how you are described in one of our Sacred Stories. You are the Creator, the Scooper of Dust! You scooped up dust in your hands and then breathed into it and here we are. Your people. Your creation. From dust we came, to dust we shall return. 

On this Ash Wednesday, some of us are more aware than others of the dust to which we will return.  Some have tired bodies, sick bodies, broken bodies, and death does not elicit fear but peace of mind. Others believe they will live forever or, at least, death is a long way off. No need to be concerned about that! It seems odd to be reminded of death in the middle of week, but here we are on Ash Wednesday. Perhaps we heard from a minister today, “from dust you came, to dust you shall return.” A black smudge on our forehead to show the world we are aware of mortality. But also, aware of forgiveness. Aware of reconciliation. We know about the death of Jesus who brings us life. 

O Scooper of Dust, only one who loves the earth and the gardens would scoop dust. Someone not as careful and thoughtful would claw or grab at dust. You scoop us up so many times.  

As we prepare for a restful evening, prepare our hearts for the second Day of Lent. We will have rubbed off the smudge by morning, but may we always be marked by your love and grace and scooping. Whatever discipline we have made a point to observe this Lent, may it remind us that we are yours, we came from you and we will return to you. And in the meantime, we are with you. 

In that confidence and contentment, we offer prayers for our church friends and family …. 

We pray for…

• A member who suffered a fall and broke bones in wrist; prayers that surgery will be scheduled soon and will be successful
• A member whose mother died; thankful for loving relationships
• One who is awaiting prognosis and treatment reports for oncologist tomorrow; prayers for husband and other family who are waiting
• President Jimmy Carter to feel the love and prayers of so many who admire his work with Habitat for Humanity and showing us how to love our neighbor!
• Young children who have lost parents … those in our own communities through illness and those in far away places like Ukraine and Turkey. May there be networks of support for all of these precious ones.
• A member’s mother who is going through difficult health situation
• One whose sister is ill; may her adult children care for her in loving ways.
• A mother who wants the best for his adult son
• Those who are grieving death of a pet
• Two sisters who do their best to care for and make good decisions about their mother
• A daughter anxious about tests while pregnant
• A colleague who is having cataract surgery tomorrow
• A friend having CT scan tomorrow; prayers for answers

We continue to pray for… 

• Those receiving radiation and chemotherapy treatments
• Those in rehab recovering from stroke or surgery
• A member waiting for heart surgery
• Peace in Ukraine
• The people in Turkey and Syria
• Those whose depression or other mental health concerns keep them isolated
• Families in Ohio and Pennsylvania affected by derailment

We continue to pray for…

• New members who joined Sunday! 
• A job
• A couple getting married

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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Over eleven thousand dead … 

We close our eyes to pray about the world but we cannot even fathom eleven-thousand people. 

But you know, O Lord; you know each one. Thankful for your tenderheartedness, we look at the map, find Syria and Turkey, touch the outline of the borders and pray. Praying reminds us you are the creator of all. 

We pray for rescue workers, for children who are now orphans, for parents looking for children. We pray for those who are in charge of clearing the debris, for the agencies trying to get relief to the people. We pray for those who are thirsty to find water. For those who are inconsolable to find some rest. For those who are in shock to find something to hold on to. 

We hold on to the miracle stories … a baby born under the rubble and taken to medical personnel … a teenage boy slowly pulled out from between two slabs of concrete … the sound of a voice after hours of drilling through debris. There is life! There is hope! There is light! 

These miracles do not diminish the devastation but they offer hope. A baby’s cry calls up compassion from people around the world. The determination of a few rescue workers crouched for hours inspires us to persevere.  

Over eleven-thousand dead and the count will go higher. We cannot begin to count that many people, O Lord. But, we can count one. Then two. Then one more. 

Help us to see the people in our own community, O God. There are many who feel like they are being buried by social earthquakes. Safety nets and agencies that once offered help are crumbling. Transgender teens, adults with HIV, neighbors with addictions … may we see them and hear them calling out for help. Help us take the time to see one. Then one more. Then two. Our children. Our nephews and nieces. Our neighbors. Your children. 

We thank you that you have created us in such a way that we hurt when others hurt; that we can imagine what it is like to be someone else. You have made us in your image, O God. A disaster on the other side of the world can shake us loose from our fears and prejudices and prompt us truly to pray for one another. We pray for those who feel trapped and for those who feel forgotten – here, there, and everywhere. May we crouch down in prayer; may we persevere in prayer. Perhaps, being empowered by prayer we can offer hope, light, life! 

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

We pray for…

• The family and friends of a special friend of downtown nonprofits and downtown neighbors who died this past week.
• A young couple spending two weeks in Guatemala on mission trip; prayers for their safety and health as well as prayers for the people they are serving
• A friend who has had many changes in her life recently; especially for the new job she started this week
• A member beginning radiation treatments this week at Vanderbilt; prayers for healing and for prayers for his young family
• The people of Turkey and Syria
• People affected by the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio
• Families who are grieving
• A member waiting on results of medical tests
• A family who is grieving the death of one who held them all together

We continue to pray for… 

• Those who are in rehab after surgery or stroke or illness
• Those who are battling addictions
• High school juniors and seniors who are under pressure to make decisions
• A couple wanting to have a child
• Members who have been recently diagnosed with chronic illnesses; seeking support and treatment

We offer prayers of Thanksgiving for… 

• A beautiful funeral that celebrated a good friend
• A meaningful confirmation retreat
• For rescue workers
• For those who feel a call to ministry
• Family
• A new grandson!
• A sister who received special recognition for her years of work
• Doctors who listen and take time

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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There are only twenty-eight days this month! The cold air gives us a tiny bit of panic as we draw our arms in and shield ourselves against any wind. As we come to the end of this first day of the second month, may we put our anxiety in your hands. Instead of drawing in, may we open up. Would having a February 30th or 31st really make a difference in our lives? As we come to the close of the day, O Lord, forgive us for feeling harried or spent or depleted. You have given us the time of this day. You have called each day, “good.” Lord who loves us as much mid-week as you did on Sunday, make us to feel your grace this evening. 

You are our Keeper, not our scorekeeper. Help us to look back over our day and see it through your eyes. May we see the gifts of food, of work, or interactions with others. We thank you for the gift of our ability to do the things we wanted to do or the gift of someone to help us get those things done. Lord, forgive us when we come to the end of the day and evaluate its worth by what we have ‘gotten done.’  

We have been in your presence. You have been with us this day. Knowing your presence brings us meaning and now we can rest as the world grows dark. Forgive us for thinking that today’s worth was dependent on us. This is the day, you made, O Lord. Let us look back on it and give thanks.  

Now that we have taken a deep breath and renewed our spirits in your presence, we are able to think of others. Even when thinking about illness, despair, economic strain, addiction, and other situations that weigh us down, taking time to pray brings us a strength. As we let your Holy Spirit wander around in our hearts and minds, we know that same spirit is moving in the folks for whom we are praying. Your same spirit is touching those who are praying and those who have shared concerns.  

And so we join as a community of faith and pray for others …. 

We pray for …

• A member’s son in the death of his wife; prayers for him and two young children.
• A member waiting on scans and other tests
• A member’s husband who is dealing with multiple health issues
• A college student who is leaving this week to study abroad in Spain for a few months! Safe travels and wonderful experiences!
• A young father whose cancer has returned; prayers for his family and all of the network of caring people as treatments begin
• Friends who are struggling
• Adult children grieving the death of a beloved father
• Memphis
• Family grieving after death of elderly mother
• A woman struggling with mental illness and seeking spiritual counseling
• A sister-in-law who is caring for her 92 year old mother who is now under hospice care. 
• The family, friends, and colleagues of a woman who committed suicide; 
• The family of an eighteen-year old who died in his sleep last week

We give thanks for …

• The miracle of organ donation; seeing God’s grace work through a time of grief
• A wonderful first week of school at UT

We continue to pray for …

• A friend who is battling stage 4 cancer and is battling a brain bleed from a fall; prayers for her husband is who caregiver
• Caregivers who are struggling with exhaustion; may they know they are doing the best they can

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.

Have a Prayer Request?

Submit your prayer request confidentially by clicking here.