Written by Rev. Catherine Nance

Dear Friends, since Early Voting began today and many of us take advantage of that, I am offering this guided prayer from a UM clergy in Ohio, Rev. Todd Richards, of Scioto Ridge UMC in Hilliard, Ohio. 

He offers this guided meditation for “before you vote on November 5,” but let’s pray this together now. United Methodists have a strong tradition of being active participants in our democracy and in our voting.  

Blessings to you, 

Pastor Catherine 

 Let us join other United Methodists … 

From now until you cast your ballot, we want to invite you to spend some time each day to pray. 

Begin by taking a moment to quiet your heart, mind, and body before the Lord. Take a few deep deep breaths in and out. When you are ready, read The Beatitudes from Matthew 5, pausing after each verse ….   

• Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

• Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 

• Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 

• Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 

• Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 

• Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 

• Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 

• Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

• Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 

When you finish, take a moment to be still and present with the Lord. Sit with the Beatitudes. See God planting each blessing in your heart. Invite God to open your eyes and ears to see and hear how God might help you enter into each of the blessings today. 

Next, pray the St. Francis Prayer for Peace. Read the prayer slowly taking time to pause between each line. This is a prayer of action. We are asking God to do something in us so that we can be instruments of God’s peace in the world. As you pray each line, think of how you might be that instrument, both as you cast your ballot, and as you live throughout the day. 

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: 

where there is hatred, let me sow love; 

where there is injury, pardon; 

where there is doubt, faith; 

where there is despair, hope; 

where there is darkness, light; 

where there is sadness, joy. 

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek 

to be consoled as to console, 

to be understood as to understand, 

to be loved as to love. 

For it is in giving that we receive, 

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, 

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. 

As you close, invite God’s peace to come upon families, neighbors, and the country as a whole. Pray for Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, JD Vance, and Tim Walz by name, asking God to keep them safe and for God’s grace to be present with them all. Pray for the other races and issues, national and local, asking God’s love to be palpably present. Finally, ask how we as a congregation might be citizens of God’s Kingdom in this world in the days, weeks, and months to follow. 

Before we read over the concerns offered by our church family, let us join together in praying the prayer that Jesus taught us ….. 

Written by Rev. Tim Best

Loving and gracious Father,

At the end of another long day we seek a moment with you. We remind ourselves in this still moment that you have been our sustainer throughout the day. You have sustained “me” but also have cared for “us”. Help us to see and name the ways you have cared for each of us individually. Give us eyes to see, as the daylight fades, how you have offered light and life to our families, to our church, and to all those that matter to us. We confess that often when we reach the end of a day, or find ourselves feeling stranded in the middle of a week, praise and thanksgiving is not our natural response. Transform our hearts that we might look for your grace in each new day.

In the midst of the suffering and pain of this week, may we lay our troubles into your care. We know that the heavy things we see in the world are real. We may try to dismiss or minimize saying to ourselves things like: “It will all be ok. That isn’t our problem. We can’t do anything to help those people over there.” Give us a holy imagination when we see the suffering of the world. Give us the strength and courage to name before you that often we are not sure if everything will be ok. As disciples of Jesus we know that missiles and rockets are problems we are called to care about. Hear our prayers for people that live in the shadow of violence and war. Breathe into our hearts that we might be committed to your peace in our lives, and make us always mindful to pray and serve those who suffer.

As fall begins and school grinds on, we continue to pray for all the students and educators of our community. We pray also for those who wish to learn, but find their learning disrupted and their dreams delayed. We pray for students who dread school each day, and for those who dread going home. Help our community to see the ways that we can testify to you grace and love with the many students and educators near our buildings.

We pray for leaders and candidates for office. We are stunned when we hear of officials who threaten others, harm their colleagues, and create fear. We ask for strength and courage for those leaders who faithfully serve and seek to better the lives of others. Be at work in our communal life, that our leaders may collaborate with one another. Help each of us to see the challenges that our communities face as problems that together, filled with your hope and charity for each other, we may overcome.

As the day closes and we prepare for the night ahead, help us to rest in the embrace of your mercy and care. See the needs buried within our hearts. We lift up those who are sick, those who have had surgeries or procedures this week, and those facing longterm illness. We seek your care for those who grieve and ask your protection for those who suffer. It is in full confidence of your unending love that we share together the concerns of our Church Street family:

Written by Steve Richardson

God in heaven and in our midst, during these moments of prayer and reflection, open our minds and hearts to your strengthening wisdom and guidance.    

23 years. A full generation ago. Yet memories of the images and our emotions of this September 11th day are as vivid now as they were in 2001. The impacts of those attacks against our innocent citizens still ripple through portions of our daily living even now. Thank you for helping us heal from the grief of loss and vulnerability. Strengthen us as we continue to persevere in the Kingdom work of loving one another, serving one another, showing mercy and justice for one another, and walking humbly with you, our God. If we hope to move forward, those are things we must do. 

Additionally, Merciful God, as we reflect on troubling events of recent days, help us all accept the realization that senseless violence is an act of sin, not a fact of life. Free us from our complacency and stubbornness so we will take sensible and reasonable steps within our social system to curb such evils.  

Fill us with the comfort of your Holy Spirit when we grieve; when we hurt; when we feel lonely; when we are sad; when stress is stifling; when we are confronted by uncertainty; when we are left out; when we are oppressed; when dreams of better days are dashed; when our mental and physical capacities diminish. Ways of the world – – physical and societal – – are often beyond our control. You know this, Lord.  During such times, when circumstances place us on unfamiliar and often unwanted paths, remind us that you, our Good Shepherd, are there to lead us to living more abundantly. 

Thank you for your love that will not let us go. Thank you for hope that flows into us to fill feelings of emptiness and doubt. Thank you for faith that lifts and inspires. Thank you for your wisdom that shines light amid life’s darker moments. Thank you for anchors of prayer, scripture and trustworthy relationships for times we flounder in currents of turmoil and restlessness. 

With gratitude and anticipation, we welcome Kelsey Gillenwaters to Church Street’s staff as Communications Director. And in several days, we’ll welcome Josh Phelps as our Music Director. Opportunities will surely arise from their talents, service and witness. Help us to graciously embrace and support their commitments to Church Street and your calling. 

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

Written by Rev. Tim Best

God of gracious and merciful strength,  

In our weakness and need, we come to you in prayer. We are often overwhelmed in our daily tasks and challenges. The repeating rhythms of everyday life can leave us drained and boxed in. Breathe life into us as we face those things that grind down our joy and disconnect us from ourselves, from each other, and from you. Help us discover a new rhythm of life, anchored in your care and renewed by your rest.  

Lord, in your mercy… 

We pray for our world, the nations, and all those who lead or seek power. We pray for peace to arrive in those places torn apart by violence and war. Help all your disciples to place our trust. In your spiritual strength, and the armor of our faith, rather than the weapons of war and hatred. We pray for civilians caught in the midst of fighting, whether in Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, and all the other places that know unrest. Humble the leaders of the world that they would submit to your authority and abandon any designs that run counter to your desires for the flourishing of all creation.  

Lord, in your mercy…

As our election season heats up in our own nation and community, help us to be witnesses to your authority and patience. Make us kind towards those with whom we disagree. Let us all hold our own ideals with conviction and integrity, but help us to measure and judge them with the direction of the Holy Spirit. We pray for all those who seek to hold and exercise power. Preserve and guide them, transform their hearts, and shape their actions for the good of all persons.  

Lord, in your mercy… 

As summer begins to wane we look forward to changing weather and all the joys contained in fall schedules. May we care for creation in all seasons that the earth may produce bountifully, and show forth the beauty of your handiwork. Help us to use all resources wisely, with concern for others and with commitment to the wellbeing of all that you have made. Help us find solutions to all problems, both economical and ecological, in ways that give dignity and security.  

Lord, in your mercy… 

In the midst of suffering, our own and that of others, help us to stand firm. Hear the cries of those in need and the suffering. Comfort those who mourn, and reassure us in the hope of the resurrection and final victory over sin and death. As those saints who came before us endured their trials, may we likewise place our full and final hope in your kingdom. We look with joyous expectation when all the powers of this age are undone by your conquering love.  

Lord, in your mercy…