Weekly Prayer – April 16, 2025

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of April 16, 2025

Written by Rev. Catherine Nance

We sing this hymn, which is a prayer, at the beginning of Lent. As we come to the end of these forty days, let us offer the prayer again for strength, direction, and purpose. 

Lord, who throughout these forty days  

for us didst fast and pray,  

teach us with thee to mourn our sins  

and close by thee to stay.  

 

As thou with Satan didst contend,  

and didst the victory win,  

O give us strength in thee to fight, 

 in thee to conquer sin.  

 

As thou didst hunger bear, and thirst,  

so teach us, gracious Lord to die to self,  

and chiefly live by thy most holy word.  

 

And through these days of penitence,  

and through thy Passiontide,  

yea, evermore in life and death,  

Jesus, with us abide.  

 

Abide with us, that so, this life  

of suffering over past,  

an Easter of unending joy  

we may attain at last. 

 

Text written by Claudia F. Hernaman, 1873 

United Methodist Hymnal, p. 269; 1989 edition 

We pray for…

  • A sister who will have a follow up (every 6 months) pet scan.  She is very nervous. Prayers for peace.
  • A third-grader who was hit with flying debris during tornado in Kentucky. He is still in hospital; prayers for healing and for his family.
  • A husband who has developed congestive heart failure since his last hospital stay. Prayers for him as he adjusts to assisted living facility.  
  • For a member whose immune system is compromised from cancer treatments; prayers for patience, comfort, and healing as she is feeling isolated.
  • For a friend who has terminal cancer and has now broken her femur. Prayers for comfort and peace. 
  • Friends and family members needing prayers
  • An 88-year old aunt in failing health who is in so much pain and is depressed; prayers for comfort and mercy
  • For one who is working through the long process of finalizing divorce from abusive spouse
  • Financial concerns
  • Prayers for a successful intervention for a friend who has so many addictions
  • For one who is going for last chemo treatment; praying this is successful.
  • A wife who has been diagnosed with stage-4 metastatic cancer; prayers for her family.
  • A member having surgery on Friday.
  • A wife who is in due to GI issues; prayers for comfort and peace as she waits for surgery at end of this month.
  • A sister who has so much on her with family concerns; prayers for strength.
  • An elementary  teacher diagnosed with cancer; having surgery next month. Praying for complete recovery.
  • Parents who are feeling anxious about our country and who are concerned about wellbeing of their children.

We continue to pray for…

  • A wife grieving the death of her husband while she recovers from surgery in rehab
  • Family members/friends who are dealing with addiction issues and dealing with the legal system. 
  • A member recovering from an infection and patiently waiting for surgery; thankful for all of the prayers.
  • A mother dealing with a recent diagnosis and waiting on further testing.
  • Those who are receiving chemo and/or radiation treatments.
  • Family members who are trying to balance caregiving and work and family responsibilities.
  • Those who are impacted by homelessness.
  • So many who are dealing with Alzheimers and how best to care for family members. Praying for strength!

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for…

  • A glorious Palm Sunday service. So thankful for all of our wonderful musicians and ministers!
  • A positive meeting with oncologist. Thankful for a doctor who takes time to listen!

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.

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Lent Devotional – Listening

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Wednesday, April 16

By: Rev. Catherine Nance

The Lord GOD has given me a trained tongue, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens, wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.

Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I did not turn backward.

Isaiah 50:4-5

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The Old Testament reading for the Wednesday of Holy Week is a portion of the writings we call “Song of the Suffering Servant.” Before Isaiah describes the physical suffering of God’s servant, he describes the strength that God gives to his servant. It is not strength to fight back with violence, but a trained tongue to offer a sustaining word to those who are weary. The servant says that each morning, God wakens his ears to listen!

How do you wake up? What are the first things you hear? I have shared that I begin most mornings with the silent affirmation, “This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.” That is me beginning the day with talking! I have prepared lots of words for this week … Maundy Thursday sermon, assigned lay readers their parts for Good Friday, the Easter sermon is still being worked on! But how am I listening? To whom am I listening? Isaiah tells us it is a daily discipline to listen. “Morning by morning,” he says. Can you imagine God waking you each morning? What is God whispering in your ear this morning. As Samuel said, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”

~~~

Prayer

God of the morning, may we tune our hearts to sing your praise and may we turn our eyes to hear your voice. We want to listen to your heart today. Open our ears that we may hear. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

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Lent Devotional – The Golden Rule

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Tuesday, April 15

By: Zayna Trammell

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:12

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Norman Rockwell, illustrator for the Saturday Evening Post and other periodicals, painted many heartwarming and humorous scenes. He also created some very thought-provoking images. When he chose to portray the Golden Rule, he did not paint something like his illustration of the Boy Scout carrying a young child through floodwater. Instead, he painted a poignant image of a diverse group of people from various races and religions.

Lent can be the perfect time to reevaluate not only our relationship with God but also our relationships with others nearby and in the rest of the world. How would we wish to be treated if our family were in financial ruin? What if we had to flee our home or country? Or if our medical needs were beyond our ability to pay?

Situations like these offer Christians opportunities to address issues with humility and compassion. Whether as citizens or as helping hands, it is important to keep Christ’s love in mind.

~~~

Prayer

God, grant us compassionate wisdom as we seek solutions in Your world. Continue to guide us in loving one another. Amen.

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Lent Devotional – What Would Jesus Do?

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Monday, April 14

By: Pat Freeland

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4

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Do you remember when WWJD bracelets were popular? As Christians, any prompt is useful that makes us ask, “What Would Jesus Do?” During Holy Week, we are reminded that Jesus was not the savior people expected: He did not exercise power as people envisioned. Christians have wrestled with questions regarding power and religion’s role in politics for centuries.

David French, author, columnist, and teacher at Nashville’s Lipscomb College, argues that the story of Easter weekend rebukes the idea that Christians should prioritize gaining and wielding political power. Despite Roman oppression, Jesus showed little interest in politics. Instead, he spoke of compassion, pronounced that the first would become last, and told Peter to put down his sword when he attempted to stop Jesus’ arrest.

The desire to hold power, through violence, if necessary — has been at war with the message of Christ ever since. Some argue that political power is the only way to produce God’s kingdom and justice. However, Christian engagement should be distinct from the world’s approach to morality and politics. Jesus told us to “Love Your Enemies.” If we follow Jesus, we are to fight injustice while embracing the fruits of the Spirit: kindness, peace, patience, and gentleness. That is the message of Easter.

~~~

Prayer

We pray to bring hope and justice to a world needing your love. Change our hearts to be messengers of Easter joy and hope. Amen

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Lent Devotional – Beech Trees

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Thursday, April 10

By: John Eldridge

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:19

The woods behind our house are full of beech trees. They are the trees that do not shed their leaves until the new growth in the spring pushes the tender leaf out and, in the process, pushes out the old papery leaves as well.

The beech’s contribution to Lent is just this: we are like these old paper-thin leaves on the trees, awaiting the spring which will push our new growth out and let us become like these shiny new beech leaves that come in the spring.

Lent tells us that when something dies, something is born – just like the beech leaves. Death in the fall and rebirth in the spring, and the cycle continues on and on, the rhythm of life.

Prayer

Help me to become a new person this Lent.

Amen.

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Weekly Prayer – April 9, 2025

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of April 9, 2025

Written by Steve Richardson

God in heaven and in our midst: As our Creator, you hear the rhythms of our heartbeats. You feel the trickling of our tears. You know the ebbs and flows of our souls – – sometimes restless, sometimes joyful, sometimes placid. You, gracious God, are always with us. Thank you for this.

Strengthen us with your grace when we pray. Align our minds with your omniscience as we seek, praise and strive to deepen our relationship with you.

Strengthen us with your grace when we wait. As you surely must know, God, our cultural and social pressures make waiting so difficult. Yet, we’ve learned before that it’s in waiting that we often find wisdom and insight; we discover new ideas and new solutions to problems plaguing us; and we become better aware of your will and hopes for us.

Strengthen us with your grace when we act. Lead us to being kingdom-builders thorough actions of love, generosity, compassion, caregiving, kindness, justice and respect.

Strengthen us with your grace when we speak. Although actions can speak louder than words, words do matter. Thank you for inspired Proverbs such as the one that says, “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

Strengthen us with your grace when we listen. The many, varied voices and message sources clamoring for our attention in our techno-centric world can be confusing, sometimes contradictory. Attune us to your truths. As Paul taught, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

Strengthen us with your grace when we care. Hearten us especially when we care for those who cannot easily care back. In our caring, help us to be more willing to accept tasks that may not always be pleasant or desirable or easy, but bolster the physical, emotional and spiritual sustenance of persons in need.

The days of Holy Week are near. When we awake each day, Lord, enter our consciousness, and may we greet you with praise and hosannas. When we journey through each day, may we follow and reflect the examples of love demonstrated by Jesus, despite the fate he knew ahead of him. When we wind down at the close of each day, lead us to prayer and connection with you. When we confront adversity, renew our assurance that in you – – and through you – – there is always hope, wisdom, strength and your peace that’s beyond our understanding.

And now, God of Grace, hear these needs and prayers of others in our congregation. Embrace all represented here with your loving presence and comfort…

We pray for….

  • A friend’s mother is having surgery later this month.
  • A member’s aunt in Nebraska; under hospice care.
  • A member’s sister who has cancer.
  • Increased wisdom as a Sunday School class as we study Old Testament scriptures.
  • All of those who are experiencing ‘compassion fatigue.’ May they not judge themselves for taking care of their own needs!
  • Friends and family going through a difficult time.
  • A member who continues to be a witness to God’s love even as they deal with cancer.
  • A member who offers prayers on behalf of a friend who is dealing with major loss and heartache in her family … death of a brother in motorcycle accident, diagnosis of cancer in husband. They have three children.
  • Peace.
  • A member who will be having surgery next Friday to remove gall bladder.
  • Those in our family/community who still must struggle with the subtle racism that can be so painful.

We continue to pray for…

  • A wife grieving the death of her husband while she recovers from surgery in rehab
  • A father who is following up with physician after severe chest pains; prayers for his children.
  • Family members/friends who are dealing with addiction issues and dealing with the legal system. 
  • A member recovering from an infection and patiently waiting for surgery; thankful for all of the prayers.
  • A mother dealing with a recent diagnosis and waiting on further testing.
  • Those who are receiving chemo and/or radiation treatments.
  • Family members who are trying to balance caregiving and work and family responsibilities.
  • Those who are impacted by homelessness.
  • So many who are dealing with Alzheimers and how best to care for family members. Praying for strength!

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for…

  • A member discharged from hospital and receiving rehab/PT outpatient. Prayers for continued healing!
  • For a member’s smooth transition to memory care unit. Spouse gives thanks for the good care he is receiving.
  • Successful surgery for a niece
  • One who has successfully defended his doctoral dissertation. Looking forward to graduation!
  • The joy pets bring us; such loss when they are gone.

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.

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Lent Devotional – Embracing Divine Interruptions

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Monday, April 7

By: Julie Massie

She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. ‘Who touched me?’ Jesus asked.

Luke 8:44-45

We live in a world where interruptions are incessant. Through social media, advertising, emails, pop-up notifications, children, coworkers, and a billion other things, we are barraged with interruptions. Jesus was constantly interrupted as well, just in different ways than we are today. In this passage, Luke describes an unexpected interruption which stopped Jesus in his tracks. An unnamed woman, desperate for healing, had reached out and touched his cloak.

As the crowds pressed in around him on his way to heal a dying child, He could have continued walking, but he turned, looked for her, and acknowledged her in a deeply personal way.

Jesus was never too busy for interruptions. Whether it was children clamoring for his attention (Mark 10:13-16), a blind man crying out from the roadside (Luke 18:35-43), or a tax collector hiding in a tree (Luke 19:1-10), he never ignored the people seeking him. His interruptions were often his greatest ministry moments.

In contrast, we tend to see interruptions as inconveniences. A child needing attention when we’re in the middle of something important, a coworker stopping by with a problem just as we’re about to leave, an unexpected phone call when we’re too tired to talk – these moments can leave us exasperated and curt.

But what if, instead of resisting interruptions, we saw them as opportunities for God to work through us?

Lent is a season where Christ-followers slow down, sacrifice, and remember the journey Jesus embarked upon to the cross. What if part of our spiritual practice during this season was to welcome those interruptions we so often find annoying? To pause, be present, and even see them as divine appointments rather than disruptions?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this season of Lent where I can slow down and remember the sacrifices that you made on my behalf. Help me resist the urge to ignore the interruptions and practice patience and presence with the people seeking my attention. Teach me to embrace your divine interruptions in my daily life, even when it is inconvenient. In your name I pray, Amen.

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Lent Devotional – Restoration and Renewal

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Thursday, April 3

By: Rev. Tim Best

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,

we were like those who dream.

Then our mouth was filled with laughter,

and our tongue with shouts of joy;

then it was said among the nations,

“The Lord has done great things for them.”

The Lord has done great things for us,

and we rejoiced.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,

like the watercourses in the Negeb.

May those who sow in tears

reap with shouts of joy.

Those who go out weeping,

bearing the seed for sowing,

shall come home with shouts of joy,

carrying their sheaves.

Psalm 126

Restoration and renewal are powerful images. We find inspiration in visualizing dry lands being refreshed by rains and flowing rivers. In times of drought, we are particularly mindful of our need for rain. In the season of planting, we know our need for growth and harvest. Where are the dry places in your life? Where do we need new growth and an abundant harvest? This is the whole point of Lent. Our need is made obvious, and we can speak honestly about the state of our spirits, as we look with anticipation towards Easter.

            As I read the words of Psalm 126, I think about all of the challenges in my own life over the past year. I am reminded of moments of deep sadness and grief, and moments of weariness and despair. I can close my eyes and imagine standing in the pulpit and looking out upon the congregation. I see your faces. I think of the weeping and suffering encountered by so many within our congregation. I think of the grace that enables us to “go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing.” Getting up and doing something in service to God is a great achievement some days. To plant seeds that could grow into hope in the midst of pain is an act of trust.

            Easter doesn’t just come to those able to wear bright emotions and smiles that match the pastel colors of outfits on sale at Belk right now. Easter comes to us in our suffering and sadness. It renews the heavy heart. In the midst of the pain of grief and loss comes the promise of new life, of resurrection. Hope comes to us in our season of need. In the final days of Lent, may God speak words of comfort and words of hope into our lives. May we trust that the God who brought back Jesus from the dead will bring new life to us.

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Weekly Prayer – April 2, 2025

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of April 2, 2025

Written by Rev. Catherine Nance

O God of Purple, 

We probably need to confess that we are growing weary of the purple colors in the Nave reminding us it is Lent. We have confessed, we have journeyed, we have given up and given more, and we are tired. We know that purple is the color of penitence. We are sorry. We are sorry for the helpless feelings we have when we see people in the world hurting; we are sorry for the inadequacies we feel when neighbors are asking for help. We know that you suffer for us and with us, O God of purple and God of the cross. 

O God of Purple, we are reminded that the deep color is also one signifying royalty. There are leaders and celebrities around us who would like to be called “King,” but you are our only king. King of kings and Lord of lords! We sang it back during Christmas. We are ready to sing it again, O God. We want a strong and powerful king who will swoop in and make things right. At least, make them how we think they should be. So much feels wrong right now. We must confess, when we see a king on the cross and not on a throne, we sometimes wonder, what kind of kingdom are you leading us to? Forgive us for thinking royalty always means wealth. May we seek your kingdom, O God, and truly trust in your leading. 

O God of Purple, as crocus and irises bloom you remind us that there is new life. That what once seemed like hopelessness and despair suddenly reaches towards the light – slowly and deliberately – and purple brings us joy and hope. O God of Purple, may we stand in the splendor and beauty of your creation, and reclaim, remember what we know.  God of Purple and God of Lent, you have made all of the colors and you receive all of our prayers, whether they are in dark hues or pastels, whether they feel heavy in our hearts or light. Thank you for hearing our prayers and for giving us hope. 

It is in that hope that we offer the prayers for your world and these concerns and thanksgivings from our church family …..

We pray for…

  • A member who is in rehab after having two strokes
  • A mom who seeks wisdom in raising young adults
  • A wife grieving the death of her husband while she recovers from surgery in rehab
  • A member who is working on getting stronger at rehab; hopes to go home soon!
  • All of those who are experiencing ‘compassion fatigue.’ May they not judge themselves for taking care of their own needs!
  • A friend who received notice about her department being shut down at work.
  • A member recovering from an infection and patiently waiting for surgery; thankful for all of the prayers.
  • A mother dealing with a recent diagnosis and waiting on further testing.
  • A friend who has cancer; pray that tumor will shrink so that surgery can be performed; prayers for her husband to have strength through all of this.
  • Friends and family going through a difficult time.
  • A father who is following up with physician after severe chest pains; prayers for his children.
  • A friend who had to have her beloved dog put to sleep; this adds to grief already there. May she be comforted by love of family and friends.
  • A member who fell; is back at assisted living but dealing with missing being at church.
  • A member who continues to be a witness to God’s love even as they deal with cancer.

We continue to pray for….

  • An infant who has had three successful surgeries; continued prayers for healing.
  • Family members/friends who are dealing with addiction issues and dealing with the legal system. 
  • Those who are receiving chemo and/or radiation treatments.
  • Family members who are trying to balance caregiving and work and family responsibilities.
  • Those who are impacted by homelessness.
  • So many who are dealing with Alzheimers and how best to care for family members. Praying for strength!

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.

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Lent Devotional – Loving Relentlessly

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Monday, March 31

By:Pat Bellingrath

But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

1 Corinthians 13

As I journey through Lent, I am especially aware of the despair and heartache we are encountering at almost every turn. Anger and sadness have been my constant companions. Using Lent as a time for personal reflection has been difficult for me as I see decisions and policies being made that directly affect my family members, close friends, and those I call sisters and brothers. I was reading a meditation by Diana Butler Bass recently, and she wrote of “loving relentlessly”. My heart has been heavy with a mix of emotions, but I have been thinking of how I might “love relentlessly”. What would that look like for me? I am using my time during Lent to figure out how to love in spite of, in place of, in defiance of. My power will be to love because the power of good and the power of love can be relentless.

Easter awaits us in all its hope and light and beauty. We are the people of God, and so we are the people of love. I will continue to do whatever I can to follow the gospel of Christ and to love my neighbors. I will be a light for others wherever I can. I will be an example of compassion and inclusion, and I will keep my eyes on Jesus. I will put my hands into doing work in small ways: feeding people, supporting others, lifting voices, creating spaces, writing letters, praying for my enemies, holding those who are hurting, reading books to my grandchildren, and singing hymns of praise. I will honor and celebrate those who are Kin-dom builders. I will always stand on the side of justice and with those who have been marginalized. Love outlasts, endures, heals, transforms, and never ceases.

In other words, I will fill my days with loving relentlessly.

Prayer

Lord, fill my heart with love and my days with the vision of your Kin-dom here on earth. May my love for you be evident in all that I do and all that I say. Amen.

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