Weekly Prayer – November 1, 2023

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of November 1, 2023

Rev. Catherine Nance

O God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob …. 

We often begin our prayers recalling our spiritual roots began before the birth of Jesus 

O God, Creator of the Universe … 

We often begin our prayers recalling your love and desire for humans began before there were any names to call. 

O God, Revealed to us in Jesus Christ … 

We often begin our prayers acknowledging that You and the Savior are One. 

O God, whose Holy Spirit hovers over us and in us …. 

We often begin our prayers acknowledging the mystery of your omnipresence 

 

But now, O God, we will just leave it at that: O God. 

O God, who understand the limits of our language. And the complexities. And the tyranny. 

If we say God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob … some will hear we are making a political statement about Israel;  

If we say God of the Universe, some will hear that we do not believe you are involved in our daily living; 

If we say God who is in Jesus, some will think we are excluding prayers for those who do not call on the name of Jesus. 

O God … how did even prayer become so weighted and measured and suspect? 

How about …. O God, who knows the name of every child. 

Surely that is a way we can all begin our prayer. O God ….  

You know the name the name of every child who has died in war or from illness or violence or hunger. 

You know the name of every child who is afraid. 

You know the name of every child who is struggling at school 

You know the name of every child who has experienced joy this day. 

O God, who knows our name, we pray for the children whose names we do not know. 

O God, who knows their names, we pray for the children who are close to us. 

O God, who welcomes the least of these, hear our prayers. 

We pray for all children everywhere and for these requests from our church family …. 

We pray for ….

  • Friends who are going through difficult times
  • A member recovering from surgery
  • A husband who is now under hospice care; prayers for wife and friends
  • A family grieving the death of husband/father after a long illness
  • Continued healing and strength for a husband/father as he recovers from procedures and treatments
  • A couple praying and hoping for a baby
  • Those who are caring for aging parents and the struggles in relationships that occur
  • A member recovering from emergency surgery out of town; may she regain her strength!
  • The violence to stop in our world! We pray for peace in all the world. Dear God, please take the hate out of people’s hearts!
  • A couple managing  the ups and downs of living with dementia and adjusting to new medications.

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for …

  • A college student who is having a good semester and has come such a long way; thankful for parents and support group
  • Scientists who do research that brings healing to our bodies and hope for our world
  • My Sunday School class
  • Granddaughter is recovering from surgery
  • That a young father/husband is back home with family

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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Weekly Prayer – October 25, 2023

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of October 25, 2023

Rev. Tim Best

O God over all creation,

We give you thanks for the mercies of this day. As we come to the end of the day we look back with gratitude. For the bright and happy moments today, we praise you and give you thanks. For those who have had days of great joy and blessing, we give you thanks.

Thankfulness doesn’t come easily when we have a bad day, or find ourselves in deep sadness or grief. Give us eyes to see your steadfast presence, the mercies you have provided even those who have struggled or suffered today. The Psalmist extolls your majesty and the ways you have crafted and even now sustain all creation. Make us mindful that not only do we set our eyes upon your handiwork when we gaze upon the world, but that we are your beloved creatures.

We are thankful, O God, because we know that when we are burdened and suffering we can offer up to you the whisperings of our hearts. As we join together in prayer this evening, we ask for your mercy to embrace all those who suffer, those who are ill, and those in any sort of trouble. Grant them your peace and enfold them with your grace.

We are particularly mindful for the sufferings of all those who know war and violence today. We pray for the conflict in Israel and Gaza. We pray for Ukraine, and we pray for all those places whose names we do not know, but where violence and death are at work. We pray for our enemies. We pray for all those who sit in authority over the nations. Speak to and guide them so that your will may be done in the world. Make us ambassadors of your peace in our daily living that we might witness to the peace and justice of your kingdom.

O God, your steadfast love does endure forever. Awaken in each of us an awareness to your steadfastness of love and grace. Shape our lives that we might be filled with the joy of being disciples of Jesus Christ. Where fail, correct us. When we miss the mark, bring us closer to you. When our own pride gets in the way of faithful obedience, mercifully guide us to repentance and renewal. With overflowing thankfulness and trust in your steadfast love, we offer these concerns to you now:

We pray for …

  • A mother who will probably be starting dialysis soon
  • Doctors who are running scans and scopes on a member, hoping to find answers as to what is happening post-cancer treatments. 
  • A couple traveling to Alabama for funeral for a cousin; praying for the one who will officiate. Prayers of thanksgiving (and safe travels) as they go to KY for a wedding. Prayers for family gatherings and all the emotions they bring!
  • Healing from cancer
  • An aunt who is under hospice care due to lung cancer
  • Parents who are hurting for their children and seeking guidance; prayers for children who are facing obstacles at school. 
  • Wife of a nephew; that medical diagnosis is accurate and can bring healing
  • A sister who is looking for new caregiver for her brother-in-law; praying for release from stree
  • Prayers for a colleague in the death of his friend
  • A son who has been deployed to Middle East
  • A son dealing with addiction issues
  • A father as he prepares for back surgery
  • One in the hospital out of town; prayers that he may come home soon

We give thanks for ….

  • Friends and relatives who care for children when parents must be away
  • Successful surgery for a grandmother
  • Church members who reached out to help in a crisis situation
  • All that we learned at Parish Health Ministry Team conference; thankful for a church who cares about what people are going through
  • Precious memories
  • Two members who have had heart surgery and are healing so well!

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, we pray that prayer that he taught us:

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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Weekly Prayer – October 18, 2023

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of October 18, 2023

Rev. Rick Isbell

O good and gracious God in whom we move and have our being, we come before you this morning with great thanksgiving for all your blessings in our lives. We give thanks for the love of our family and friends. We give thanks for the wonder and beauty of your creation with its richness of colors in this fall season. We give thanks for the ministry and witness of this congregation within and beyond its walls to those who need to hear, feel and see the love God in their lives. Thank you God for the many ways you come to us in the busyness of our lives. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

But most of all we give thanks for the gift of your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ who came into the world to show us how to live, what’s most important, and how we should treat our neighbor. And he died on a cross to save all humanity from their sins. But he did not stay on the cross and he did not stay in the grave. For He rose to conquer sin, death and darkness forever. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

O, triune God, we humbly ask that your Holy Spirit stir our lives in a way that will enable us to share your love in new and creative ways. Tune our hearts that we might do your will even when it is difficult and inconvenient. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

O, God of all nations, this morning we see the horror and feel the pain of the Israeli and Palestinian people. In a time of war, we pray for families who have lost loved ones tragically. We see the mass destruction and loss of human lives and cannot imagine what persons are going through in the Middle East. As we sit in our pews we pray for justice, peace, healing, and reconciliation in a time of great unrest. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

As we pray for those at war, we also pray for our own nation and community. We pray for understanding, honesty, justice and love between those who differ with one another. Help us to be unselfish in our own desires in order to hear and understand the hearts of our sisters and brothers. We pray for those in our own congregation who are going through difficult times in their health, relationships or jobs.

We offer prayers for ….

  • A father’s member who is in ICU far away from family and friends
  • A member’s husband whose cancer has returned
  • The innocent and frightened people in Gaza and all over the world who live with violence
  • President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu; for safety of world leaders as they meet; for Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
  • A young woman who has lost her job and is seeking employment
  • Members who are undergoing tests and facing new regimens of medications
  • A sister who is caregiver for her husband and who is also looking for a job
  • Families who are attending funerals and graveside services this week.
  • A woman who is feeling threatened at work
  • A grandmother having knee replacement surgery
  • Third graders who learned of a classmate’s death over fall break
  • Older elementary students who are facing complex issues at school
  • A college student who is struggling under a heavy load; financial concerns
  • A grandchild who is with family out of the country and is ill.
  • A friend waiting on test results
  • A member adjusting to new home at an independent living facility

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for ….

  • A church member who feels well enough travel after cancer treatments
  • Friends who were traveling in Europe who have arrived home safely.
  • The group from First Baptist Church (Knoxville) who has returned from trip to Holy Land
  • God’s Holy Spirit and grace who relieves us from guilt
  • Living near the Smoky Mountains and how beautiful they are! Thanks be to God!
  • Congregational Care volunteers who visit in nursing homes

As One who knows our thoughts and desires before we speak them, we lift these our prayers and petitions in the name of Jesus Christ, our risen 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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Weekly Prayer – October 11, 2023

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of October 11, 2023

Rev. Catherine Nance

Lament. It is the word on our hearts, O God. Lament. Usually spoken when there are no words – or, at least, no words that make sense. 

Israel. Gaza. Hamas. Palestine. We are horrified by the images and videos. We are frightened for loved ones who are there and for all of the innocent citizens we can only imagine. We cringe at the number of people killed and the number held hostage … regardless of nationality, we cringe at the number. 

We turn to our scripture and read from Lamentations … 

How lonely sits the city
    that once was full of people!
How like a widow she has become,
    she that was great among the nations!
She that was a princess among the provinces
    has become subject to forced labor. 

She weeps bitterly in the night,
    with tears on her cheeks; (Lam 1:1-2)
 

We read from the Psalms …. 

Lord, you are the God who saves me;
    day and night I cry out to you.
2 May my prayer come before you;
    turn your ear to my cry. 

3 I am overwhelmed with troubles
    and my life draws near to death. (Psalm 88:1-3) 

We are frightened and horrified. Scared and disgusted. We pray for action, we pray for justice, we pray for mercy, and then realize we are so far removed (at least most of us are) and feel helpless in our prayers. 

We again turn to scriptures, 

We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. (Romans 8:26) 

Do you lament, as well, O God? Are your groanings for the lives of innocents; are your groanings for the misguided ways of greed and hatred? Do you groan at violence? Forgive us when we move too quickly from lament to revenge; from admitting our helplessness to seeking security in fleeting strength. Let nothing bring us security other than knowing you are with us. 

We lament.  

We pray for President Biden, for Prime Minister Netanyahu, and for all leaders who are working together to bring a resolution. We lament. We hope. We pray for military personnel and for the work that they must do. We pray for their safety. Lord, have mercy. We do not want war; yet, we pray about war. Lord, have mercy. 

And then, O God, our own heartaches and our own situations interrupt our prayers. Sometimes we feel guilty for praying for ourselves or for a neighbor ‘when there are atrocities in the world.’ We pray with the Psalmist, “who are we, that you are even mindful of us?” 

But yet, you hear all of our prayers. Prayers of thanksgiving for a joyful Fall Break! Prayers for a neighbor’s family in the midst of illness and grief. Prayers for a spouse grieving for their partner. Prayers of thanksgiving for a good check-up and prayers of thanksgiving for good medical care. Prayers of hope for a grandchild who is trying out for a play. Prayers of hope for a sister looking for a job. 

Thank you, O God, for hearing our prayers, and for groaning with us. Knowing that you hear our muddled cries and our articulate praises at the same time brings us an assurance. We take a deep breath. We lament, we weep, we hold those we love, we hurt for our neighbors and hope for our friends. Thank you for this gift of prayer.  

We pray for …

  • A member undergoing cancer treatments and the toll it takes physically
  • A friend moving into independent living 
  • A mother going from hospital to skilled care
  • A friend who has had complications after heart surgery
  • Law enforcement officers
  • A member whose husband died unexpectedly; for the whole family – children and grandchildren
  • Peace. 
  • World leaders to come together with reason and peace
  • Neighbors and friends from First Baptist Church, Knoxville, who arrived in Israel the day before the attacks. Prayers as they make plans to get home safely.
  • Those who are grieving loss of loved ones
  • A sister to find a job
  • One who has been laid off from work

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for …

  • Healing after surgery
  • Help with plans for transition from hospital to rehab 
  • Being with family during Fall Break!

You told us when we pray, pray like this: 

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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Weekly Prayer – October 4, 2023

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of October 4, 2023

Steve Richardson*

*Italicized excerpts are from “God of Grace and God of Glory,” hymn #577, written by Harry Emerson Fosdick

God of grace and God of glory … free our hearts to work and praise. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days.

Holy God, thank you for these moments to focus our minds on your unconditional love, blessings and guidance; and on awareness of needs of others.

We come to you humbly. You remain steadfast in welcoming and embracing us in our relationship with you. But we, in turn, haven’t reciprocated very well.  We find it too easy to let distractions of our culture and society divert our attention from your calls to love and serve one another. Instead, we find ourselves drawn to other callings often rooted in self-interest. And then there are those times we simply shrug our shoulders and turn away in apathy. Forgive us, Lord. God of grace…shame our wanton, selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul. Grant us wisdom…lest we miss thy kingdom’s goal.

We mourn with victims of violence in our very community (as well as across the world). The ripples of anguish from such losses and the subsequent fears stretch far and wide. Cure thy children’s warring madness…Grant us wisdom – – wisdom of ways and acts of love which originate with you and that deliver us from evil.

We’re grateful to be a part of Church Street United Methodist Church. It’s easy in conversation to claim it as “our” church, but we truly know it is your church, God. (Thank you for sharing it with us!)  As we think about the near- and longer-term future for Church Street, open our minds and hearts to be even more supportive of this community of grace with our gifts, our service and our prayers. Crown your ancient church’s story; bring her bud to glorious flower.

We pray with gratitude for our clergy and church staff, whose daily commitments to service foster a safe, welcoming and sacred space for worship, mission, learning and spiritual growth.

We pray with thankfulness, too, for all those who volunteer in your church’s missions and ministries. Their work extends your support and grace among people in our community and membership.

As they navigate unknown and uncertain seas of their daily living, buoy all caregivers and care receivers with your renewing resilience. And among people outside the throes of caregiving, inspire all to discover ways to support those who do this challenging work.

This upcoming week will be school systems’ “fall break” for many children, youth and their families in our area.  We pray that these opportunities of families’ added time together with loved ones and friends will be meaningful, uplifting and spiritually enriching. We pray, too, for their safety and their physical and mental wellbeing.

God of grace and God of glory, on thy people pour thy power. Each and every day, God, help us sense and share your unconditional love. Through your granting of wisdom and courage, move us to respond with grace to others, just as you always do for us.  And with faith in your omnipotence, we ask that you receive and respond to these important prayer requests from congregation members and neighbors:

We offer prayers for ….

  • A 92-year old grandfather who fell and broke a rib; prayers for comfort and healing
  • All of those in hospitals
  • A mother who had surgery earlier in the week; prayers for healing 
  • A couple getting married this weekend
  • A man dealing with grief after the death of his mother for whom he was the sole caregiver
  • Families still waiting on repairs to be made to home and property after storm several weeks ago
  • A wife in  hospice care
  • A husband waiting to go home from hospital
  • A member transitioning from rehab to long-term skilled nursing care
  • A friend having open heart surgery
  • A son grieving after father’s death
  • A wife who had surgery two weeks ago; prayers for continued healing.
  • A member whose family has asked for prayers as doctors make adjustments and offer hope
  • Those who are seeking recovery from addiction
  • A member who is having major abdominal surgery soon; prayers for healing
  • A young mother diagnosed with breast cancer; prayers for her and her family as they await further diagnostics and surgery
  • A husband dealing with blood clots and new medications
  • The family of the Knox County Sheriff’s deputy who was killed; for all involved

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for …..

  • All the animals who came to be blessed last Sunday!
  • Our clergy – active and retired – during this Pastor Appreciation Month and ALWAYS!!
  • For my Sunday School Class who has expressed so much love.
  • A member’s successful open heart surgery! Prayers of continued strength and healing! Prayers of thanksgiving for a supportive and loving family and community.

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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Weekly Prayer – September 27, 2023

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of September 27, 2023

Rev. Catherine Nance*

A portion of today’s prayer was written by Bishop Ken Carter, UMC.

As we prepare for Blessing of the Animals Sunday …..

O God, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen: You place us in your creation, and you command us to care for it. As we look forward to Sunday and the blessing of the animals, we are mindful that they are your creatures – not ours – that we are to care for them.

In your great mercy you call us to care for all of creation,
to uphold one another, and to pray for your world.
Hear our prayers for the healing of the earth.

Your works declare glory and splendor, and you call us to praise and reverence.

Where we have degraded or destroyed earth’s bounty, forgive us.

Where we have taken beauty and majesty for granted, have mercy upon us.

Where we have become estranged from the creatures with whom we share this planet, have mercy upon us.

Renew us in the waters of baptism, refresh us with the winds of your spirit, and sustain us with the bread of life.

You have created us to be in community and so we offer prayers for those in our families, our neighborhoods, and circles of friends. For those who are struggling may they know your peace; for those who are sick, may they know your healing. As we pray for those near and dear to us, we know it is you desire for our circles to grow wider, to embrace others. As we reach for those we know so well, may our arms embrace those we would call stranger. Your Spirit transforms us into neighbors and friends.

With confidence that you hear our prayers, we offer ourselves for your good purposes,
watching and waiting for the healing of your creation as we work toward your coming reign.

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior who taught us to pray saying, 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.

We offer prayers for …..

  • Those who are learning to live with new medications and adjustments to lifestyle and health
  • A father and husband awaiting heart surgery; thanksgivings for skilled surgeon and good plan forward!
  • A neighbor in the hospital; thankful for all of the good medical care
  • One who is choosing to live well in the midst of cancer
  • A mother in the hospital
  • A member who is making decisions about long-term care
  • Those who are grieving loss of spouse and who are feeling lost
  • Continued healing for a husband who is home from hospital
  • A brother who had pacemaker
  • A family grieving the loss of beloved aunt
  • Families making decisions about hospice and palliative care and next steps
  • A couple who desperately wants to have a baby and, so far, has been unable to conceive
  • A daughter at Children’s Hospital who has sepsis
  • For a child who is struggling at school; prayers for parents as they discern how to intervene (or not)
  • Peace and an end to violence in Ukraine.

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for ….

  • Medical screenings that provide good reports and for those that provide clear answers for next steps
  • That radiation treatments for a father are manageable; close to daughter’s home. PET scan clear! Thankful for the feeling of relief!
  • Those who are preparing for wedding ceremonies but also for the lifelong commitment
  • For the volunteers at Ladies Lunch & Learn and the wonderful fellowship
  • For Pastor Walter’s sermon last Sunday. Thankful for his ABILITY!

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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Weekly Prayer – September 20, 2023

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of September 20, 2023

Pat Bellingrath

God, we come to you tonight with hearts full of love and gratitude for all the ways you are at work in our lives. This time of year when the leaves are beginning to change and the air becomes crisp and cool, we look for hope and renewal in ourselves. The hot days of summer are over, and we are looking ahead to the joys of Advent. May we be reminded that you are the God of all seasons and allow us to see with fresh eyes, the change and peace that can be found in the beginning of a season.

We find ourselves, oh Lord, in the midst of challenging times in our church and in our world. When we read the newspaper or watch the news, may we embrace our connection to every human being in the world, each of whom bears the image of you, God. We are called, through prayer and action, to participate in the work of healing and caring for each other and all creation.

For those of us who are struggling or feeling disconnected from you, may we know that we are not alone. God, we are searching for something to heal us, something to strengthen us, something to give us peace, something to give us a better life. We search for ways to look better, to live better, ways to sustain our planet, ways to end gun violence. We search for ways to eradicate racism, cures for our diseases, ways to end homelessness, ways to end child hunger. We search (and yearn) for a reality to end our loneliness, to soothe the hurts we feel and for the pain of others to be healed. So, it seems we are all searching for you, God.

May we find you, oh Lord, in this changing of the seasons, in praying for others, in simple moments in our daily lives, in our relationships with one another, in our journeys of forgiveness, in our longing for justice and equity, and in moments of despair and in moments of joy. May we find you in places where we are uncertain or afraid. May we find you in the faces of our neighbors. For how can we deepen our connection with you unless we deepen our connections with one another?

As the leaves change into beautiful and vibrant hues, may we, too, be transformed. May we walk together in love, in hope and in faith. Oh God, who extends to us a kin-dom of justice and peace, healing and wholeness, of unity and equity, may we be the ones to live these here on earth each and every day. Amen.

We pray for …

  • The birth of a grandbaby; and for all the big brothers in the family!
  • A church member who is very ill
  • A woman struggling with schizophrenia
  • A neighbor who is about to be evicted
  • A member’s father who has prostate cancer and for the mother who is feeling overwhelmed about caregiving because of her own health issues. Prayers for the whole family.
  • A wife who is recovering from knee replacement surgery
  • A member who has experienced the death of close friends and family within a span of a few weeks
  • Members traveling out of town for a family funeral
  • All those who struggle with addiction
  • The young woman with schizophrenia who has asked for our prayers
  • A mother whose 53-year-old son died suddenly

We give thanks for …

  • Our SASH committee and all the good work they have done and continue to do (Safety, Accessibility, Security, and Health)
  • A clear PET scan
  • A specialist who is overseeing a difficult medical case

We continue to pray for…

  • Those who are discouraged
  • Members dealing with chronic illness and those who love them.

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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Weekly Prayer – September 13, 2023

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of September 13, 2023

Rev. Catherine Nance

We pause O Loving God, to acknowledge that you are our Creator and that you are God of the Universe. 

You know what a leap it is for us, to look up from our routine to acknowledge that there is a WORLD out there beyond our world. Forgive us for being consumed by our routines and our concerns. We focus on ourselves and what is troubling us. We often even forget to pray, wanting to be in control and take care of things ourselves! 

So, here we are, O Lord! We put our hands down, our tasks aside, and our hearts are now open. You know how it takes effort on our part physically to prepare ourselves. Deep breaths, turning the volume off on devices, closing our eyes, emptying our minds of worries. 

There, Lord; now we are ready now to pray!  

And there you are:  you who are always present and who are always ready to listen.  

You already know what is on our hearts, but thank you for giving us space and time to say them aloud. 

We pray for family members and friends who are going through difficult times … 

We pray for work situations that need resolution … 

We pray for those close to us who are facing health crises … 

We pray, we pray, we pray … 

And, there O Lord, we feel that you have embraced us into your world of caring and knowing. We cannot imagine all the others who are praying right now, but yet, you have included us in their voices. We feel a strength from this gift of intercessory prayer. Not just praying FOR one another, but praying with one another. People we do not even know are joining their hearts and voices with ours just now. 

We began with confession of how small our world is, and now you have opened your world to us. You have heard each prayer and embraced each of us. In that expanse of your love, we feel unity with one another and have experienced the magnitude of your grace! 

As we return to the routine of evening — children’s schedules – homework – supper – meetings – practices – settling down and settling in – checking on parents – as we return to our routines, may we feel the assurance that we have stopped to give thanks for your abiding presence. 

We include these requests in our own prayers, knowing that you hear all …. 

We pray for …

  • A friend who had mastectomy last week
  • A daughter who had hysterectomy; prayers for continued healing
  • Those who are waiting to meet with doctors about test results
  • A daughter who is concerned about her mother; prayers that the mom will make good decisions and care about/for herself
  • An aunt grieving her nephew whose funeral was last weekend
  • A man who is addicted to pornography and violence
  • For a six-year old who is preparing for radiation therapy after a mass was removed from her brain
  • A sister-in-law who is now in hospice care and for the woman’s daughter who is the caregiver.
  • A couple going through a divorce; prayers for safety and good health
  • A niece who is concerned about her aunt who is going through divorce; prayers for strength and discernment as she makes decisions ahead; may she know she is deserving of love
  • Public servants and law enforcement;  and those who prey on the vulnerable
  • Parents worried about son’s health; prayers for traveling mercies as they go to check on him
  • A father discerning best path forward for health
  • A healthy pregnancy
  • A friend who is starting physical therapy this week; prayers for relief from back pain
  • Libya and the flooding
  • People in Myanmar
  • Those in the path of storms and those who are recovering; Lord, have mercy!

We give thanks for …

  • Volunteers at church who help with making people feel welcome
  • Clear report from PET scan
  • An understanding spouse
  • For successful eye surgery! Praise God!
  • The birth of a great-grandaughter
  • My nephew coming to visit!

We continue to pray for…

  • Those in military
  • Husbands and wives who are grieving
  • A friend receiving chemotherapy
  • All those in rehab after surgeries
  • Members of our church family who are in cancer treatment
  • Anyone battling addiction! Lord, we pray for release!

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.

/by

Weekly Prayer – September 6, 2023

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of September 6, 2023

Rev. Catherine Nance

This prayer was adapted from a prayer written by Christine Longhurst whose worship blog is called re:WORSHIP. Christine teaches at Canadian Mennonite University.

O God, just as You rescued the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt, setting them free to worship and serve You,

so You have also rescued us, setting us free from slavery to sin and selfishness, and inviting us into relationship with You and one another. We praise You for the love and mercy You have shown toward us.

We pray that the words we speak in worship and the rituals we observe are acted out in our daily living. May we trust you whether we find ourselves in familiar surroundings or heading on an uncertain journey. May we always be certain of your faithfulness towards us.

We pray for those who do not have what they need in order to survive; those without enough food and water, medical care, shelter, or security. Open our hearts to see the needs in our world, and to respond with Your love.

We pray for those who are living with serious illness or injury,

who face each day with uncertainty or pain,

who find themselves wondering what the future holds.

Open our hearts to see the needs of those around us,

and to respond with Your love.

We also pray for Your church, the Body of Christ on earth.

We pray that we would be a living example of Your love in our world, treating one another with compassion and respect, settling differences with love and integrity, bound together by our common allegiance to You.

Open our hearts and lives to your ongoing presence among us,

so that we would grow in faithfulness and love.

May our living always bring honor to Jesus Christ our Savior – it is in his name we pray and offer the prayer he taught us…

We pray for …

  • A mother who is very ill
  • Daughter recovering surgery
  • A woman waiting on results of CT scan
  • A husband having biopsy
  • A father who started a new job this week; prayers he will be on a good path.
  • A member waiting on apartment in assisted living

We continue to pray for ….

  • One who is receiving radiation and chemotherapy for brain cancer
  • One taking chemotherapy for breast cancer
  • A mother looking for work in a new city
  • Those who grieve but also celebrate the love they shared
  • A family member who is in recovery program; prayers for healing from addiction

We offer thanksgiving for …

  • One who received a job!
  • The chance to get away for a while after so many treatments.
  • Newborns who are continuing to do well.

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.

/by

Weekly Prayer – August 30, 2023

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Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of August 30, 2023

Rev. Catherine Nance

I see the moon and the moon sees me. 

God bless the moon and God bless me. 

Tonight is the Super Blue Moon, O God! You have set the cosmos in place and have given human beings the ability to observe, to be in awe, and to put names on the patterns and rhythms of the sky. 

We thank you for astronomers who document movement of the planets and write down calculations; we thank you for engineers and physicists who build telescopes and for astronauts who explore space. So much knowledge is almost too great for us, O God! We think of the psalmist who wrote, “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are humans that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” 

No wonder that we resort back to childlike prayers whose words are so simple!  

I see the moon and the moon sees me. 

God bless the moon and God bless me. 

We are in awe of the night sky. O God, who stretched the spangled heavens, we are grateful for twinkling stars and spinning planets; we hold our breath as cloud formations change and as moon and stars hide and then peek out again. What a gift it is to look up into the sky and know that people all around the Earth are also looking upward in admiration of your beauty.  

Help us keep that sacred connection, Lord, when we awake in the morning and no longer look up but look straight ahead. Even though the sun is shining, may it still be our prayer that you are blessing us all – all who share the moon. We all share in your grace and love. 

We are mindful of those who are dear to us who need our prayers. We say things such as, “they have so much on them right now.” We augment our prayer to include your Earth; our planet is under so much stress right now! Fires and hurricanes. Pollution and scorching heat. May we remember that the earth is part of your beloved creation as much as we are. You care for us all. 

I see the moon and the moon sees me; God bless the moon and God bless me. 

We join in prayer for those in our church family who have requested prayer ….. 

We pray for …

  • One who asks for healing from depression and from heart trouble
  • Complete healing from a broken nose; pray daily for my health
  • A family praying for the grace of salvation
  • Soup kitchen guest who is looking for a job caregiving
  • A mother who is very ill
  • Daughter having cervical cancer surgery
  • A woman waiting on a lung biopsy
  • A husband having biopsy
  • Members who are having surgery this week; prayers for full recovery
  • A 92-year old cousin in hospice care now has covid
  • A couple who is separated; may each one find the peace they need
  • Those who were elected for city government
  • All the UT students we see from our church. Dear God let them know we are praying for them!
  • A young mother having cancer surgery and who is not able to work.
  • An aunt as she grieves the unexpected death of her nephew

We continue to pray for ….

  • One who is receiving radiation and chemotherapy for brain cancer
  • One taking chemotherapy for breast cancer
  • Children who are having a difficult time adjusting to school year
  • A mother looking for work in a new city
  • Those who grieve but also celebrate the love they shared
  • Parents from Covenant School in Nashville who shared their trauma this week with others

We offer thanksgiving for …

  • One who received a job!
  • Good report from EKG and check up
  • The love of family and the way they are always there
  • All the visitors who were at church Sunday!

We offer the prayer Jesus taught us ….

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.

/by