Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of September 28, 2022

Rev. Catherine Nance

Gracious God, 

On this Wednesday evening, our hearts and minds are with all who have been and will be in the path of Hurricane Ian. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.  

Often, when we hear world news, we have to look on a map or perhaps we dismiss the news since we cannot picture where it is. (Forgive us Lord!) But, we all know where Tampa is. We know Jacksonville. We have been to Orlando. We have relatives and loved ones along the path. We have friends who are scheduled to travel and we worry. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

In the midst of news about landfall and surges, we hear the phrases explaining how climate change plays a role and then, how we have played a role in climate change. Forgive us Lord, in our shrugging, our denying, our simply hoping for things to be better. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

We see people on the news who, yesterday, were political candidates. Today, they area governors and other officials in charge of emergency maneuvers. Bless these leaders Lord. May all work together to promote safety and clarity of information. Thank you for the employees who show up each day at National Weather Service and provide information for us. We are grateful to for science and technology that informs and supports their work. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

O God, these weather-related terms apply to our own lives as well. Some of us are expecting a ‘landfall’ – some impending crisis – a diagnosis, a conversation, layoff. Others of us have no idea of what is ahead but will experience the ‘surge’ and the ‘impact.’ Dear God, your Holy Spirit connects us to each other. May we be mindful of how our decisions, our words, changes in our lives, do not affect us alone. But there are ripples and consequences and aftershocks. May we be kind to one another and understanding of those who find themselves caught in a deluge they did not know was coming. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers. 

Along with all of the people of Cuba who are without power, the people of Florida, and all those in the path, we pray for these concerns shared by our church family: 

We pray for …

• A dear friend who has undergone so much cancer treatment and now has pneumonia and other complications. Prayers for her family as they hear and grapple with prognosis from doctors about the weakness of her body. Prayers that she feels the love and prayers all around her.
• Those who are traveling out of town for work
• For a coworker whose cancer has returned. Prayers for her three sons; one teenager and two young adults. This single mom needs the assurance that ‘her boys’ will be fine.
• Clarity from medical tests results and that a healing plan will be made clear
• A man who has had heart attack; prayers for good rehabilitation
• A family whose mother is in hospice care; not expected to live many more days. Grateful for Eternal Light and Life!
• Those who have been recently hospitalized and are doing well at home.

We give thanks for …

• The scriptures which give guidance about how to live; especially First Corinthians 13
• God’s wisdom and purpose in our lives
• Third graders who received Bibles and that Ms. Katryn was able to hand them out in person!
• New members joining and two baptisms this past week!
• The opportunity to hear Kate Bowler. Thank you to the A. Orin Bishop Lecture endowment!

We continue to pray for ….

• A Sunday School class member who has to travel to Africa several times this month for work
• Families making decisions for loved ones
• A woman recently diagnosed with cancer

Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of September 14, 2022

Rev. Catherine Nance

With just a hint of cooler weather in the air, we are reminded that you are the God of All Seasons. You created your world, O God, with the beauty and gift of autumn, winter, spring, and summer. Sometimes we speak of these seasons as if they end one day and begin the next. Our calendar will tell us the first day of autumn is just one week away. We give thanks for scientists who can measure and map where Earth is in its orbit and explain the seasons. We give thanks for preschool teachers who teach songs about the four seasons. We are thankful for memories of early artwork – large sheets of paper divided into four equal quadrants – one with orange and red leaves, one with snowflakes, then bright flowers, and the last with a bright, smiling sun! These divisions and measurements give order to our lives and help us plan; your order has given us days to look forward and a sense of knowing that things always change. But there is beauty in the change. 

We know that the seasons do not stay in the bold lines of our kindergarten four-square season chart, but that you allow us time to prepare, to anticipate, to hope, and yes, even to be disappointed when a hot summer day appears in October or we need a sweater and scarf on an April afternoon! Thank you for caring for your Earth and for us that we do not abruptly land into a new season, but that you allow for gradual changes. May we take time to savor, to appreciate, to accept right now as the time you have given us.  

O God of All Ages and Stages, remind us that you are with us as we go through changing seasons in our lives. There are cycles we anticipate and celebrate and then the not-so-subtle changes we thought we would never experience. May we be graceful and feel your grace as we go through the stages and seasons of life. When we see others around us in different stages and places, may we offer prayers: 

• For children who are so curious and demand attention right now – bless their sense of wonder 
• For young parents who are burdened to think they must do everything perfectly – ease their self-imposed stress 
• For graduate students and young adults figuring out ‘what’s next,’ – let them feel your guidance and peace 
• For adults who are wondering ‘is this what I wanted?’ – give them clarity of your love and purpose 
• For those who feel alone – may we be open to those who need a gesture of kindness 

Thank you, O God, for the subtlety of change of seasons that gives us time to appreciate, time to give thanks, and time to prepare. We thank you for all of the seasons you have given us.  

We turn towards the evening with a grateful heart for your presence and we open our heart in prayer as we share these concerns and thanksgivings from our church family…

We pray for…

• Church members who are traveling to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville; particular prayers for one who is dealing with neuropathy and another who is awaiting diagnosis and a clear path of treatment.
• A family who is in the midst of new beginnings: new house, new job, selling house! Prayers that stress be transformed into positive energy!
• A young father who is following up with doctor about GI issues
• A dear aunt, aged 96, that she remain in good health
• Those in our church family with COVID
• A church member who is a beloved mother, mother-in-law, and friend who is struggling with health concerns and weakness.
• A best friend who has been recovering from cancer and now has a new diagnosis. Doctors say this one is treatable. Prayers for her body to receive this intensive treatment well. Prayers for her husband and friends as well.
• The nieces and nephews who celebrate the life of a church member; thankful for the gift of Eternal Rest and a life well lived!
• A member meeting with cardiologist Thursday morning after experiencing some concerns recently
• A friend having dental surgery on Friday
• A little girl having tonsils removed next Wednesday morning; prayers for parents!

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for…

• Family in Texas … and for all who know how important it is to keep in touch!
• A good report from CT scan
• A successful surgery of the 8-month old who had club feet amputated. The surgeons were able to leave enough bone for the prosthetics to be possible.
• A brother who had a stroke this past week and is doing so much better thanks to excellent medical care. Prayers of thanksgiving for local hospitals and for loving family!
• A group of young couples who have been visiting our church and met together last Sunday to plan for getting together; may their desire for Christian fellowship and study inspire us!
• Recent high school grads who have gathered to plan a Bible study; may their desire for deeper discipleship inspire us!

Continued prayers for…

• Those undergoing radiation treatments and chemotherapy
• A sister who is struggling with high blood pressure
• A friend who has been diagnosed with macular degeneration
• City officials and agencies and churches as we address our houseless population
• A son who has gotten a new job in the field he majored in.
• A member awaiting procedures and results and relief from back pain

Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of September 7, 2022

Rev. Catherine Nance

A prayer inspired by Psalm 139 

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 

These words from the psalms should be a comfort to us, O God. We often complain that no one truly knows us, but yet you know us through and through. Perhaps the psalmist was overjoyed with this intimacy; instead we are embarrassed or ashamed. We would prefer that our thoughts were not so clear to you! Sometimes they are a jumbled mess to us – and yet you are able to discern them. You created every living thing because you desired life around you and through you. May we open ourselves to your loving and living presence and not recoil in fear or shame. Here we are O Lord, you know us so well – and continue to love us!  

You pursue me behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.  

O God who walks alongside and ahead and behind, we want to feel your companionship and your presence. When we wander off clear paths may we feel your hand leading us home. When we hurriedly move past our family and friends, we are thankful for your hand that reminds us to slow down and pay attention. When we feel immobilized with fear, or boredom, or depression, or anxiety, may we feel the nudging and pushing along of your loving hand on us. You are indeed acquainted with all our ways, O Lord, and what a relief it is to us that you continue to choose to walk with us. 

Where can I go from your spirit? Where shall I flee from your presence? 

Forgive us, O God who breathed into creation every conceivable place and space, when we say I am all alone. Whether we are feeling the despair of loneliness or fleeing to hide from you, your Holy Spirit breathes on us and reminds us of your steadfast presence. You created us and called us good. May we live into your goodness, O God, and trust that you desire to be with us. May your love for us make us loving toward others. Lift our eyes beyond the confines of our daily world to imagine others in your world, people of all nations who are also loved and cherished by you.  

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! 

We truly want to be disciples of Jesus Christ! Sift through our hesitation and our doubting. Sift through the selfishness and the justifications. As we open ourselves to you, may you transform us into disciples who rejoice in the grace you offer. Your love and acceptance of us should cause us to rejoice and yet we often grumble and accuse others who think differently or have experienced you in a way with which we are not familiar. Oh God, lead us in your way! 

How profound to me are your thoughts, O God! 

It is with a sense of profound awe that we lay before you the concerns and petitions of our brothers and sisters … 

We pray for…

• Bishop Bill McAlilly of the TN-Western KY Conference of the UMC who is recovering from surgery after an automobile accident …
• The people in Jackson, Mississippi who have no water. Pray that leadership will see the plight of the poor and forgotten. Prayers for help with infrastructure.
• A son who is struggling to find a job that is meaningful and for which he has prepared and trained; prayers for ‘in the meantime’ as he deals with rejection
• A forty-four year old man who has melanoma in several organs and the friends and family who love him
• A church member who was involved in a car accident. No injuries (Praise the Lord!) but the inconvenience and all the aftermath with repairs and insurance. Praying for peace through a difficult time
• A church member who had surgery today
• A five-year old who is battling brain cancer and for the people who tend to him.
• A family who is dealing with major medical issues; prayers that insurance will approve next steps and that logistics of receiving care are met with ease
• Prayers for a son concerned about his parents and their hesitancy in asking for help. We pray for all parent/child relationships as caregiving becomes an issue
• For a sister who has completed radiation treatments but is so fatigued from them.
  A ten-month old who is having both feet amputated this week because of severe club feet.
• A colleague who is planning to move; prayers for clear answers about timeline and logistics as retirement nears
• A member’s sister who is having health concerns due to extremely high blood pressure; prayers for a path forward to deal with the issue.

We continue prayers for…

• Our college freshmen and their parents! Both are making adjustments! We pray for all students from kindergarten and up who are past the Labor Day break and adjusting to the new normal of routine.
• Those who are undergoing treatment for cancer, who are waiting test results, and who are waiting on follow up appointments. Prayers for patience and hope in the waiting.
• Members of a Sunday School class who are concerned about one another’s finances.
• Friends and family who are simply trying to survive each day

We give thanks for…

• Opportunities to learn through the LIVING FORWARD event and the BRIDGES OUT OF POVERTY training. Thankful for committee members who work to promote education and advocacy in our families and our community.
• For upcoming Stephen Ministry training and for hearts that are being stirred to serve in this caring ministry.
• Our Stephen Ministers – especially our newly commissioned ones! May God bless them!
• Members and staff who have felt the relief of student loan debt forgiven. Thankful for the opportunity during stressful financial times to have a sense of hope and rearranging budgets.
• Two of our Soup Kitchen neighbors who have found housing
• The completion of infusion therapy after a year; prayers of thanksgiving for God’s healing presence

Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of August 24, 2022

Rev. Tim Best