BINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
January 25, 2021
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
Abide with me, fast falls the eventide;
the darkness deepens, Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
help of the helpless, oh abide with me.
God, Our Refuge and Strength, as we have been bound to you since our birth, so you have bound us together with all your beloved in a common life. Here, as we rest within this circle of deepening darkness, we admit that our ties with our brothers and sisters of our nation have been splintered. We have not learned to listen to your voice, and we do a paltry job of attending to others whose views do not match our own. We have attached labels to our neighbors and placed them in fixed categories. Forgive us for wounding you and those whom you love, including ourselves.
Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in thy wings,
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea,
Come, Friend of sinners, and abide with me.
Friend of Sinners, pierce our hearts with true repentance, as we reflect upon our personal transgressions, particularly these most recent ones: . . . . . . . . . . We are indeed a frail people, too easy to seek approval, too eager to follow the crowd. Deep inside, though, you see sparks of possibility. Take those tiny pieces of our better selves, fuse them together, we pray, and absolve us of every thought and deed that is not worthy of the name “Christian.”
I need thy presence every passing hour:
What but thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who like thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and shadow, oh abide with me.
Holy One, through whose providential care we enjoy goodness and joy in life, we honor you. We must confess, however, that we are tired. You know that we are better at waiting if we know when the end will arrive; but after these long months of pain and loss, we admit that our patience is growing thin. Beginning tonight, shore us up, that even when we hardly know what to pray for, the Spirit will help us in our weakness. And send your evening star to shine upon us and upon all who live under cloud and shadow, for you know each one by name – including your friends at Church Street:
- One grateful for a weekend off from work
- Thanksgiving: Two recovered from Covid
- One thankful for appointment for second vaccine
- Gratitude: Mother steadily improving from surgery
- Healing of adult son who entered a detox program
- Elderly father healing from broken hip
- Solace for member mourning death of a beloved brother
- Guidance and wisdom for our President and our nation’s leaders
- Continued prayers for three recovering from serious heart issues
- Healing: Family of four positive for Covid
- Courage, guidance, and healing: A cousin’s infant diagnosed with a brain tumor and began chemo last week
- Wisdom and courage: A mother weighed down by responsibilities related to her son’s addiction
- Healing for husband in deep depression
- For wider distribution of virus vaccine
- Continued prayers: One enduring chemo
- Strength for two weary caregivers
- Comfort for one whose mother died of cancer and Covid
- For insurance company to approve chemotherapy for one in great need
- Cousin recovering from major stroke
Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
Abiding One, draw all our silent longings and spoken prayers together this night, for even in our doubts, we trust in your unfailing love to keep us safe in slumber. And tomorrow, lead us into your holy wisdom, that we might live as Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord who taught us to pray:
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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All are welcome at Church Street! We believe every person is of sacred worth and created in God’s image. We welcome and celebrate the gifts God has given to all persons without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, disability, status, economic condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religious affiliation. We respect diversity of opinion and expressions of Christian faith. We believe God loves everyone unconditionally! As God loves us, so let us love and serve in the name of Christ.
Evening Prayer – January 27
UncategorizedBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
January 27, 2021
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
Each of you should use whatever gifts you
have received to serve others,
as faithful stewards of God’s grace
in its various forms.
I Peter 4:10
Even before our eyes opened this frosty morning, your blessings were floating down: the newspaper delivered before dawn, the floor toasted by the warm flow from the radiator, the purring cat on the stoop, and the dew on the grass sparkling as crystals strewn by a loving hand. You have walked with us through these long days of heaviness, Generous One; and because you deem us worthy, you granted us this, another day of living under your grace. Praise be to you, Giver of Life!
Now the dusky hours have arrived and we ponder the personal talents you have imparted to each of us – gifts of music, decision-making, hospitality, creativity, healing, teaching, and others – gifts not sought, but offered free of cost for the betterment of your world . . . . . . . . . . . And in review, we ask ourselves how we may have employed our individual talents today in the service of others . . . . . . . . . . Please forgive those instances we uttered idle words and performed hollow deeds, especially . . . . . . . . . . Because of Jesus, you do take notice of even our small efforts made in sincerity. May our simple services multiply as we mature in our faith, that in some unknowable way, your kingdom will be enriched.
Christ, our Confidant, surely the hallways of heaven are replete with pleas and petitions, perhaps even stacked to infinity. Maybe your rooms are filling up and there is little space left for the angels to pass through the hallways. But thanks to you, each prayer is received in earnest, as it is extended; each is valued, as is each one who offered it. Therefore, we unhesitatingly offer our private prayers in your name . . . . . . . . . . And we lift these also on behalf of our friends at Church Street:
Our Christian journey began and will end in you, Holy One, for you have shown us that our lives do matter. Watch over us all as the darkness falls and give us the confidence to rest in you, with the prayer of your Son upon our lips:
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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Evening Prayer – January 26
prayer for todayBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
January 26, 2021
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
. . . Beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing,
whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence
and if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things.
Philippians 4:8
O God of Clarity, much of today was convoluted. Projects were initiated, then abandoned; simple tasks turned out to be knotted with baffling details; and throughout the hours there was a steady stream of interruptions. All these dashed our hopes of producing anything of value. Take these disordered pieces and false starts, we pray, and infuse them with some sort of meaning; and whatever effort you find worthy, may it serve your purpose in your own good time.
You have called us to walk that road of discipleship that is paved in humility. We freely admit that we have wobbled along that narrow passage that leads to the kingdom, for pride calls out from the wayside, tempting us to toot our own horns. There were those side trips of ego that lured us into criticizing others who had lost their way, and of course there were many jaunts when we insisted on having our own way. Make strong and steady our gait, Lord, along the straight and narrow. We would keep pace with Jesus, that eventually we may arrive at your door to hear your words: “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.”
Noble One, in the peace of this beautiful evening, as magenta streaks on the horizon turn to ash, we do think of those things of which the apostle spoke: the pure, truthful, commendable, and that which is worthy of praise. . . . . . . . . . . All these we celebrate and attribute to your benevolence, evidence of your holiness at work among us. Train our eyes and our thoughts to behold all that is honorable within our days and to dwell upon them. And in the spirit of thanksgiving, we turn to you with our gratitude and our concerns, praying on behalf of our friends at Church Street:
Draw together our collective evening prayers, along with our blunders and uncertainties, we pray, and cast your coverlet of comfort upon us to heal our brokenness and to keep us warm this cold winter night. Keep your life-candle burning for us and for all whom we love, O Lord, that we might join you joyfully tomorrow – in that new day where impossibilities become possible:
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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Questions about Covid Vaccines?
covid, Featured, Parish Health MinistryTwo vaccines are now being offered to prevent COVID-19. Pfizer-Biontech and Moderna vaccines have been released under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA. Both are messenger RNA vaccines (mRNA) which work by teaching our cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune response. The mRNA from the vaccine does not enter the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept. This means the mRNA cannot affect or interact with our DNA in any way. COVID-19 mRNA works with the body’s natural defenses to safely develop immunity. These vaccines were >90% effective in clinical trials.
Two doses required. Pfizer vaccine is given 3 weeks apart, Moderna vaccine is 4 weeks apart. Both doses must be from the same manufacturer. You will receive a vaccination card with your first dose documenting manufacturer and lot number for the product you received. Take a picture of it to serve as a back-up. You will need to present it when getting the second dose and information from that dose will be added.
Allergic reactions are possible but rare. As with any vaccination, you will be asked to remain in the area for 15 minutes afterwards in case a severe reaction occurs. If you have a history of severe allergic reactions, you will need to stay for 30 minutes. Unlike other types of vaccines, these do not contain eggs, preservatives, or latex.
Side effects are most common after the second dose. These flu-like symptoms are usually gone after 36-48 hours. Some vaccine centers are advising to avoid premedicating with acetaminophen (Tylenol) and anti-inflammatory drugs (Advil, Aleve, Naprosyn, ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.) and avoid for 6 hours after the vaccine. This is due to concerns these drugs might decrease your response.
How can I get a vaccine? There is a master plan based on specific groups because of limited availability. These two companies are working to supply not only the U.S. but countries around the world. Three more U.S. companies have a vaccine in clinical trials. Visit COVID-19 Vaccine Information | TN COVID-19 Hub and look at COVID Vaccine FAQs to find “How do I know when it’s my turn to receive the vaccine and how do I register?
Health Departments are scheduling appointments as they receive shipments. You do not have to be vaccinated in the county where you live. However, you should return to the same location for the second dose to ensure it is from the same manufacturer. More information can be found at County Vaccine Information – TN COVID-19 Hub.
Some Health Care Systems are partnering with Health Departments to offer vaccines to the public. Check with Covenant Health at COVID-19 Vaccines for Older Patients I Covenant Health to see when additional vaccination clinics will be available. If your primary care provider is part of the UT Health System you should contact their office to schedule a vaccine appointment at the medical center.
Pharmacies are currently vaccinating long term care and assisted living facilities but should have doses for the public when that phase is completed.
Get the vaccine even if you have had COVID-19. Duration of natural immunity (from actual infection with the virus) is not known. There are reports of re-infections occurring more than 90 days after the initial one.
Continue to wear a mask and follow precautions as before vaccination! It takes about 2 weeks after the second dose to achieve protection. And, there is not enough data at this time to know how long immunity lasts. There is also concern that an immunized person can be exposed to the virus and then shed it to others but not become infected themselves.
Women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy should speak with their doctor. Current guidelines from obstetric organizations recommend the vaccine, stating benefits outweigh risks. However, it is always best to discuss with your doctor to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.
Remember members of your Parish Health Team are available for help with questions or concerns! You may leave a message with the church office to request a call.
Submitted by: Vicky Shelton D.Ph.; Cathy Goff MSN, RN; and Kathleen Harwell MSN, MBA
Learn more about the Parish Health Ministry Team here.
Evening Prayer – January 25
UncategorizedBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
January 25, 2021
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
Abide with me, fast falls the eventide;
the darkness deepens, Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
help of the helpless, oh abide with me.
God, Our Refuge and Strength, as we have been bound to you since our birth, so you have bound us together with all your beloved in a common life. Here, as we rest within this circle of deepening darkness, we admit that our ties with our brothers and sisters of our nation have been splintered. We have not learned to listen to your voice, and we do a paltry job of attending to others whose views do not match our own. We have attached labels to our neighbors and placed them in fixed categories. Forgive us for wounding you and those whom you love, including ourselves.
Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in thy wings,
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea,
Come, Friend of sinners, and abide with me.
Friend of Sinners, pierce our hearts with true repentance, as we reflect upon our personal transgressions, particularly these most recent ones: . . . . . . . . . . We are indeed a frail people, too easy to seek approval, too eager to follow the crowd. Deep inside, though, you see sparks of possibility. Take those tiny pieces of our better selves, fuse them together, we pray, and absolve us of every thought and deed that is not worthy of the name “Christian.”
I need thy presence every passing hour:
What but thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who like thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and shadow, oh abide with me.
Holy One, through whose providential care we enjoy goodness and joy in life, we honor you. We must confess, however, that we are tired. You know that we are better at waiting if we know when the end will arrive; but after these long months of pain and loss, we admit that our patience is growing thin. Beginning tonight, shore us up, that even when we hardly know what to pray for, the Spirit will help us in our weakness. And send your evening star to shine upon us and upon all who live under cloud and shadow, for you know each one by name – including your friends at Church Street:
Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
Abiding One, draw all our silent longings and spoken prayers together this night, for even in our doubts, we trust in your unfailing love to keep us safe in slumber. And tomorrow, lead us into your holy wisdom, that we might live as Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord who taught us to pray:
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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Evening Prayer – January 21
UncategorizedBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
January 21, 2021
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
O God of the Sun and the Shade, the darkness works its way through the crooked tree limbs all around, leaving us with only luminous outlines of the blessed light that has covered us this day. But darkness brings blessings of its own: a chance to slow down, an opportunity to go deeper, an invitation to take stock. We admit that we rushed by you today, Lord, when you appeared in so many places. But now in the quiet hours, we recall the kind word spoken, the gesture of support, evidences of your grace, especially . . . . . . . . . . . . The joys that have lightened our path came from your open hand. And tomorrow, clothe us with more clarity, that we may detect your miracles at work in our very midst. To you be all praise!
Come to us now, Lord, as we are veiled in the memories of our missteps: the coarse words that came from our lesser selves, the unwarranted sarcasm, misplaced humor, our prideful thoughts, and especially . . . . . . . . . . Scrub away all that has tarnished our witness, we pray, and rinse us with that bracing water of forgiveness, that we may be cleansed and ready to join you in service.
Consoling Companion, we remember those for whom the evening hours are long and fear-filled: those lying in hospital beds uncertain of their diagnosis, those waiting for the phone call revealing an outcome from surgery, those without employment who can only stare into emptiness, others whose physical pain prevents their eyes from closing. In truth, we all wait for something, but give rest and consolation, we pray, to our brothers and sisters whose souls are depleted. Use us, we pray, to lift them up both in prayer and deed, till they are assured that your Spirit waits with them.
And Tender Spirit that you are, touch each of these souls who bring their joys and their deepest hurts to you this night. May each feel the prayers that are offered as well as your breath of love:
Take all our prayers, spoken and unspoken, and keep them in your bin of hope. May we rest now in the darkness, assured that the light has not gone out, for it keeps vigil in our hearts. And whatever tomorrow brings, we know we will be robed once again in the Light of Christ, our Lord, who taught us to pray:
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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Evening Prayer – January 20
prayer for todayBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
January 20, 2021
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
Blessed One, night tiptoes in softly across the fields and the city streets, altering both the landscape and the perspective of anyone wise enough to notice. Change is in the air, though in our weakness, we struggle against it. Observing the shaded clouds drifting by, we realize how stagnant our spirits have grown during this past year of pain and loss. We have all been injured in one way or another, and when we are bruised and broken, we cling to the familiar.
God of Wide Horizons, lift us up above our own personal interests, we pray, and spread our concerns wider than ourselves. Take away our complaining mantras and turn them into fresh, life-giving songs. And by your grace, lend us your courage, that we might step outside the predictable to discover the less-traveled byways, leading to new beginnings.
If this historic day has taught us anything, it is how expansive is our nation, how diverse are its people, how precious is our form of government, how complex are our challenges, and how vital is your holy guidance. As a mother blesses a son when he departs from home, as a father prays for a daughter to make the right choices, so do you, Loving Parent, long for us to make wise choices and you pray we will bless others as you have blessed us. Grant us courage to live out the promises we made in our hearts during today’s momentous Inaugural Ceremony, that we might become in truth “One Nation Under God.”
Accept these evening petitions, Faithful Father, and cover with your compassion each of these friends who lay their praises and their wounds at your feet:
There are times when we forget who we are and whose we are. But throughout the sleepy hours as we take our rest, you will assure us that we are your chosen ones who belong solely to you. Cover us and all whom we love with your mercy, that we might rise tomorrow to become the channels of blessings we have pledged to be. For Christ’s sake, we make our prayers:
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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Evening Prayer – January 19
prayer for todayBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
January 19, 2021
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord;
and the people whom he has chosen as his own.
Psalm 33:12
Good and Holy God, we come to you in prayer with our souls wide open, seeking your mercy and your grace. You have blessed us greatly and have dealt with us kindly all our days. Words fail us as we bow in gratitude for our families, our friends and neighbors, and all who care for us, for our church, for the privilege of worshiping you freely, and for the miracles of our very lives. As the deepening shadows blanket our corner of the universe, we reflect upon the personal gifts you made possible this day just past . . . . . . . . . . May our prayers of thanksgiving join with all those hearts beating with praise for your goodness. Though we are undeserving, you have chosen us as your own!
All-Knowing One, our country now stands on the threshold of a new era. Tomorrow the inauguration of our recently elected President will bring celebration, hope, and excitement for millions. But on the other hand, there will be multitudes who remain anxious, saddened, angry, and fearful of the future. May your spirit of cooperation and respect color this sacred ceremony and permeate the heart of each participant and attendee. May your holy protection cover all, melting hearts of stone and holding back the hand of violence. We cannot predict what twists and turns may be ahead for us; but as we are all bound together through the enduring love of Christ, we lean upon his wisdom and grace to help us build a future that mirrors that love.
Faithful Guardian, we lift up our new President, who will pledge to protect and defend the rights of all citizens, especially the weak and most vulnerable among us. Concomitantly, may we pledge to rise above our private politics to seek the larger vision of your will for our nation most blessed. And confident that you accept every prayer offered in earnest, we make these intercessions on behalf of your people of Church Street:
Our prayers must often seem as babblings to you, Loving Lord; our trite words may even break apart and scatter upon the floor. But still, we know you want to take our hand in friendship and listen when we call. So gather us in, we pray, and we shall lie down in peace and take our rest, remembering the words of the Abiding One who said: “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.”
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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Evening Prayer – January 18
prayer for todayBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
January 18, 2021
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
Mountains have a dreamy way
of closing up a noisy day
In quiet covers, cool and grey.
(Leigh Hunt)
O God of Presence, the greyness settles in across our beloved mountains and calls us home, much as the farmer leads his herd into warm stalls at dusk. Thank you for calling us to set aside our temporal pastimes and turn our thoughts to the eternal. May we welcome your invitation to silence an often blustery day, recalling the overlooked gifts these past hours have presented . . . . . . . . . . All praise be to you for the goodness that colors our lives!
O One Who Summons, today our nation has honored your modern prophet, Martin Luther King, Jr., one who freely sacrificed his own health, comforts, and his very life to show us a better way. Although we may not be as gifted as he, you have summoned each of us to live into your dream: Where we find hearts fearful, may we impart courage. Where there is distress, let us speak of peace with love. Where impossibilities close every door, let us open windows of imagination. And where distrust thrives, may we plant reconciliation. Alone, O Lord, our efforts would be hollow; yet through your power, all things are possible.
Our earthly pilgrimage takes us along rough terrain, but as Jesus entered the world as one of us, he also traveled those craggy byways and suffered setbacks beyond our comprehension. The Blessed One asks no more of us than he asked of himself. So as we bear our trials and our temptations, remind us that you are with us as we make every limping step. You are even near enough to hear these private longings of our hearts . . . . . . . . . . . and also these praises and petitions of your children at Church Street:
Bundle all our prayers, Sacred One, and fashion them into a pillow of grace. And upon it we will take our rest, knowing you will keep us and all whom we love in the security and eternity of your embrace. We close our eyes in awe and thanksgiving this night with the prayer of Jesus upon our lips:
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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Evening Prayer – January 14
prayer for todayBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
January 14, 2021
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
Portal of Life, even before our birth, your gentle rapping was taking place upon the door of our hearts; and as time passed, that rapping came to us in the form of a nudge, a whisper, a vision of some presence beyond ourselves. And as your calling unfolded, we placed our souls in your care, trusting that yours was the authentic foundation on which to build our lives. You have never failed us, Living God, and we remain humbled by your constancy.
In the January stillness, the night sky speaks to us. What might lie behind that doorway to heaven, we wonder? We know there is energy there, and a life-giving force that ordained and sustains everything within that astonishing, celestial sphere. And even above that vast plain, stretching billions of miles, you are there, Shining One, concerned with even our fleeting thoughts and dreams. Yes, we are puzzled when we reflect upon the intricacies of your love; but we rejoice that we finally answered your knock and opened the door to our destiny.
We are only one speck in your grand universe, Sacred Designer, yet through your grace it was upon this earth that Jesus chose to dwell, showing us how to live as people of God. His life gave witness to your own unwavering love, while we have fomented dissension, disquiet, and distrust in recent days, especially in our own land. Have mercy upon us, we pray, and forgive our errant ways. Wipe away all our missteps, especially . . . . . . . . . . Clear our vision and unite us in your wisdom, that we might be among those who build a future free of arrogance and suspicion.
In your mercy, receive these silent prayers of our hearts . . . . . . . . . . and also these praises and concerns offered on behalf of our friends at Church Street:
As darkness covers the earth, may we take our ease, cradling our hearts in the great mystery of your love that binds every prayer in the cosmos together. Grant us, and all whom we cherish, a peaceful night, we pray; and tomorrow, with your help, we shall rise to love, to forgive, to show mercy, to make peace, and to share the good news of Christ, who opens the door to eternal life:
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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Evening Prayer – January 13
prayer for todayBINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
January 13, 2021
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit into every troubled breast!
Let us all in thee inherit; let us find that second rest.
Take away our bent to sinning; Alpha and Omega be,
End of faith, as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty.
(UMH 384)
Loving Spirit, we know that you weep when your people are deeply divided, at war with each other and within themselves; your tears fall when voices of hatred and disrespect breed instability. It seems that violence is buried deep in our bones and even makes its home in the little grey cells of our minds. Why else would we be so quick to harm and so slow to bring healing? Forgive us for failing you and one another. May our own tears join with yours until they flow into your great stream of justice and mercy. Take away out bent to sinning, we pray, and set our hearts at liberty.
God of the Starry Silence, the daylight hours whisper their goodbyes. They have been your sacred gift to us, as is this lengthening span of darkness. Let us reflect upon the unmerited joys that you have sent our way: . . . . . . . . . . And grant that the good we may have done in the earlier hours give witness to your own generosity emerging through us, your human vessels. Even in the ebony hours, you gaze clearly through the window of our souls. With each passing night, we pray you might observe growing integrity, humility, and faith within.
And despite the thinness of our faith, we entrust to you all those persons and situations that are uppermost in our hearts, especially . . . . . . . . . . And in this interval of silence, we also share both the celebrations and the worries of our church family, knowing your loving Spirit is only a breath away:
Alpha and Omega, into your hands we commend ourselves, for you created and redeemed us. This night, may your grace enter every troubled breast, giving peace and rest. And tomorrow may we rise to walk that straight path you will be fashioning for us as we sleep. We ask all these things in the name of our Savior, who bears the love that never fails and who taught us to pray:
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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