BINDING SOUL AND SOURCE

Daily Prayers of the Church Street family

May 7, 2020

Pastor Jan

 

Someone once said that our God is older than eternity, yet younger than our next breath. He remains unknowable, but he knows us each by name. Such a nature is beyond our comprehension, even though we have been drawn to this Holy Mystery from our earliest days. How astonishing to know that, through the life of Jesus, the nature of God is to love the unlovable, to touch the untouchable, to forgive the unforgivable, and to bestow worth upon the unworthy. We cannot grasp such benevolence, but only bow in awe.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.    

We sometimes shudder, O Summoning One, when we consider your claim on our lives. We have answered your urging and we have promised to be true to our calling; but deep down we know our good intentions will always fall short. We long for a fuller faith but it seems an impossible dream. The apostle, however, reminds us that we always live in the shadow of your grace, and that through Christ, all things are indeed possible.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.    

Accept our praise this day, O Lord, for all the ways in which you have blessed us . . .

And also show pardon for the ways we have erred in recent days . . .

Remove all that holds us back from becoming the disciples you desire, we pray. And may your tender care be felt in each of these situations lifted up by your family at Church Street:

• Thanksgiving that financial gifts for Zimbabwe supply buckets are being received
• Celebrating a sister’s pregnancy – her first child
• Gratitude for prayers: a gravely ill father is recovering & returned home yesterday
• Thankful for prayers: a mother has been released from hospital & is now home
• Grateful that a cousin in KY is now free from Covid-19 & is out of isolation
• Thankful for church friends & pastors who offered support during my mother’s long illness and death
• Healing prayers & relief of stress for one struggling emotionally & mentally
• Strength & healing for a member undergoing treatment for cancer, fluid on lungs
• Healing for a dear friend whose Crohn’s disease has flared up; for promising news from tests she undergoes today
• A brother-in-law hospitalized with Covid-19, for his ill wife who waits at home
• Pray for one having tests today for recurring dizziness – for correct diagnosis
• Prayers for our hospitals, that financial recovery is possible & safety is maintained
• Protection of all those returning to work, for caution in dealing with the public
• Loved ones isolated at home, in hospital, assisted living, for easing of loneliness
• Two families under great stress, for healing & understanding

Stay with us always, O Lord, especially when the dark hours come, for even the smallest glimmer of your light gives us strength to hold on.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.    

Our souls are intertwined with yours, O God, for you created us, called us to your purpose, forgave us, and counted us as worthy disciples, ever ready to offer the prayer which Jesus taught us:

Our father who are 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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BINDING SOUL AND SOURCE

Daily Prayers of the Church Street family

May 5, 2020

Pastor Jan

 

Eternal One, our joy lies in knowing that you send us signs of your love in a multitude of ways. Today, sharpen our senses, we pray, that we might feel your silent presence pervading every step we take. And along the way, may our gratitude spill over to those who walk by, that they, too, might recognize your bountiful love.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.    

O Rock of Ages, may we not place our trust in passing trends nor in the false idols of wealth and fame. Worldly glory is tenuous. We know this, but we confess that envy does color our behavior from time to time. We see what others possess and note the freedom their affluence offers them. Teach us how to be content with what we have, aware that prestige and prosperity bring troubles of their own. In the end, all these are rendered useless. Instead, may we cling to our Cornerstone, who ensures that all our needs shall be met.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.    

Gentle Companion, we do try to live blamelessly, but we admit that we have spoken harsh words, have held grudges, have been prideful in our actions, and we have not always spoken the truth. We repent of these trends this day, and seek your forgiveness. Clear away these impure fragments of faithlessness, we pray, and give us another clean start this very day.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.    

And as you encourage us to share our deepest selves with you, we place these needs and gratitudes before you, knowing you are never too busy to listen to even the faintest voice seeking your ear:

• Grateful for the Edie Johnson’s recent organ recital – it was splendid
• Praises: a father in ICU recovers from 3 surgeries and may go home this week
• Gratitude for those who contribute regularly to feed the hungry and assist the less fortunate in our church and in our community
• A friend has recovered from Covid-19 and has no lingering side effects
• Celebrating the safe arrival of son & daughter-in-law returning to Knox to live
• Grateful for ongoing prayers: a mother hospitalized (renal issues) improves daily
• Pray for a businesswoman – struggling emotionally and mentally; for healing to come
• Strength and healing for a member undergoing treatment for cancer, fluid on lungs
• Healing and solace: a relative in ICU in Florida, lung complications, family cannot visit
• Healing prayers for parents undergoing great stress dealing with adult children
• Husband having liver procedure this week; please pray that all goes well
• All who return to work, for wisdom and for safety precautions to be observed
• Loved ones isolated at home, in hospital, and in assisted living, for easing of loneliness
• One asks for strength to disregard disparaging remarks that come her way

Watch over us now and in all our days to come, until we meet you face to face, joining with all your saints who dwell with you. And together we shall join the host of heaven in praying the words Jesus taught:

Our father who are 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?

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BINDING SOUL AND SOURCE

Daily Prayers of the Church Street family

May 3, 2020

Pastor Jan

 

“All we like sheep have gone astray,” attests the ancient prophet. As it was an apt description in his era, so does his assertion ring true in our own century. How closely we resemble the easily-rattled sheep. At the first sign of trouble, we waver, become confused, and feel our knees wobble. Often we wander aimlessly ahead, unmindful of the pitfalls that may exist. And when danger meets us on that lonely trail, we cry out for the Master to spring to our rescue. We know he is ever listening and his searching will not cease until we are returned to the fold, safe in his care. What wondrous love is this – so undeserved, yet freely bestowed?

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.    

This Sabbath, we celebrate that Good Shepherd who was wounded for our sakes, yet rose in splendor and majesty to become the Gate through which all must enter to receive his gift of eternal life. “Come,” he says, “take my yoke upon you, for my yoke is easy and my burden light.” He leads us beside sparkling streams, refreshes us with rest in his green fields, and restores our souls which we thought were lost forever.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.    

Cleanse our thoughts and our intentions in this hour, we pray, as you are working to redeem us day by day. We know we will err again before nightfall, but in these moments, wash us with your purest water of grace; then we shall be fit to live in your wide pastures. And receive now these prayers and pleas offered by your flock, our brothers and sisters of Church Street:

• Gratitude for prayers: a father in ICU has miraculously come through a 3rd surgery, has taken a few steps & has spoken with loved ones; please continue to pray for healing.
• A husband offers gratitude for his 45th wedding anniversary today
• A couple rejoices that they were able to see their young grandchildren for the first time in 2 months
• Faithful member rejoices that the love of God has filled his heart in this time of isolation
• Gratitude that a young professor tested negative for COVID-19, but other tests revealed a mild stroke: pray for wisdom for those making treatment plans
• A mother with renal failure shows signs of improving; continued prayers are appreciated
• Prayers today for all who join at graveside in celebrating the life of an adored mother
• Safety for all who are returning to work
• Touch the hearts of grieving friends making funeral plans for loved ones
• Wisdom for hospital administrators & health-related offices as they open their facilities
• A businessman and his family under great stress due to economic downturn
• Prayers for a mother of teenagers who faces a dilemma; for her courage, wisdom and strength
• A young adult son who remains in a coma
• A young wife in Texas just diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer; for distraught family

This small effort of prayer we offer this day, knowing that our mere words break apart when we consider the depth of the Good Shepherd’s love; yet it is in his house of mercy we hope to dwell forever and ever:

Our father who are 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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BINDING SOUL AND SOURCE

Daily Prayers of the Church Street family

May 1, 2020

Pastor Jan

 

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart. Help us to abandon our outworn ways of thinking. Grant that we might face the future with eager anticipation, not with cowering trepidation.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.    

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart. Expand the horizons of our imagination, we pray, that we might awaken sleeping notions within ourselves, and instead dream of a new tomorrow. Who knows what is possible when we break down the barriers of fear?

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.    

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart. You have traveled with us, giving us food and shelter throughout this long journey. Along the way you have been transforming us into people of the gospel, people who strive to love tenderly, act justly, and walk humbly with our God.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.    

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart. You notice our tangled needs at every turn, O One Who Neither Slumbers Nor Sleeps. You are the God who counts our tears and hears our sighs. Gaze now upon all your children who hold out their graces and their worries to your open hand:

• Thankful for all prayers lifted for a young father in ICU; surgery yesterday is counted as a success; please continue to lift him up and his family as well
• Very grateful for your prayers: a mother in renal failure is improving each day
• Celebrating a (nurse) daughter’s recovery from COVID-19 and who is working again
• Giving thanks for all our amazing healthcare workers & first responders
• Pray for all staff and residents in Athens Life Care facility where virus is rampant
• Wisdom for all decision-makers reopening hospitals and businesses; safety for all
• A family in turmoil – for grace, understanding, and forgiveness to take place
• Please pray for my cherished relative who has cancer surgery today
• Continued prayers for healing a beloved mother, hospitalized for 1 week
• An ill and stressed mother in the hospital, whose children are not allowed to visit
• Courage for a mother who must confront a situation that endangers her children
• A brother who mourns the death of his partner from COVID-19, for healing grace
• Prayers for economic recovery, relief for the unemployed, decreased anxiety for business owners trying to stay afloat

As you have received all these petitions, accept also our most private prayers and concerns . . .

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.    

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart.

May it be said of us that we were carriers of your new vision – those who helped create a world where peace is ever laced with kindness and blessing.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.    

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall;

Still be my Vision, O Ruler of All.

Amen.

 

Have a prayer request?

Submit your request confidentially online, and our prayer team will be in prayer with and for you.

BINDING SOUL AND SOURCE

Daily Prayers of the Church Street family

April 29, 2020

Pastor Jan

 

O God, Just and Merciful, your Son affirmed the great value of every human life, and he worked to break down the barriers that separate us. Our minds, though, are forever categorizing our brothers and sisters:  those who believe as we believe and those whose beliefs are outside the box; those who are financially successful and those who barely exist from paycheck to paycheck; those who are well-read and well-educated and those who exhibit only mediocre schooling; the well-scrubbed and the great unwashed. As long as these patterns of discrimination exist within us, they will consistently collide with the love of Christ. Unbind us from this stiff rope of typecasting, we pray, lest we miss the kingdom’s goal.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.    

As you treasure each of us, O Loving Parent, we submit our gratitude for all the mercies you have laid at our doorstep: the adaptability of children, business owners who seek to protect their customers, our country where we are free to speak out, government monies helping the unemployed, ingenuity of those searching for ways to help the isolated and hungry, medical teams and first responders. And above all, when we are forgotten by others, we have a Savior who remembers and calls us by name. Your gifts abound, and we humbly thank you.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.    

There remain, however, those concerns that leave us anxious and interrupt our sleep. As you instructed, we bring these to you . . .

Hear us, we pray, and also receive these prayers earnestly extended by members of our church family:

• Thankful that recent scans reflected no lesions on a sister’s lungs
• Gratitude: daughter and son-in-law, front-line Nashville physicians, remain healthy
• Gratitude: a very ill friend on ventilator is now recuperating in a rehab center
• Thanksgiving for a mother released from the hospital yesterday
• Please pray for a friend undergoing rectal cancer surgery today, that all goes well
• Prayers for strength to help a loved one forgive himself for past mistakes
• A relative in Florida, recipient of double lung transplant, just returned to ICU
• Courage and support for a mother confronting a circumstance that is dangerous to the health of her children
• Guidance and grace for new mother facing a potentially tragic family situation
• Easing of stress for business owners and for financial recovery to arrive soon
• Healing of a mother rushed to the hospital last night, peace for her adult children
• A husband who has a flare-up of Crohn’s disease, for easing of pain and healing
• Pray for all to find rest, to practice patience and wisdom, and to extend grace to others during this challenging time
• Wisdom and guidance for all decision-makers planning to open healthcare facilities
• Pray for a mother nearing death and for her daughter who stands by

As a Loving Mother and Father, and through your infinite goodness, we know you will continue to care for us.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.    

Lord of the Resurrection, your promise of hope lives on in our hearts and was made manifest in your Son, Jesus Christ. As he promised, in your own appointed time we shall gather with all the saints around that bountiful table of peace. Until then, deal kindly with your servants who 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.

 

Have a prayer request?

Submit your request confidentially online, and our prayer team will be in prayer with and for you.