Weekly Prayer – 9/16/2026

Week of September 16, 2026

by Rev. Jonathan Jonas

O God our creator, as we lift up our eyes to the beautiful hills of this part of your creation, we are so grateful to know that you are the source of our help and salvation.

O God our redeemer, as citizens of a sometimes fickle and unforgiving human society, we are so grateful to know that your grace, mercy, and forgiveness surround us always.

O God our healer, in all of our brokenness—of body, spirit, mind, heart, and values—we are so grateful that you restore us and make us whole.

O God our comforter, in the moments in which we feel wounded or unworthy, we are so grateful that you hold us in your everlasting hope.

O God our inspiration, in moments in which our vision is too limited or too skewed, we are so grateful that you call us to see neighbors near and far with the focus that only love can offer.

O God of all good gifts, make us grateful, make us worshipful, make us compassionate, make us bold, make us graceful, make us humble, and above all, make us loving.

These things we ask and declare in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We pray for ….

  • A young mother undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
  • A friend in need of eye surgery.
  • A friend’s granddaughter and her parents.
  • A member’s son-in-law while he is out of the country for work.

We continue to pray for …

  • A friend who is caring for her sick father and facing many difficulties.
  • A friend who needs healing.
  • A member whose cancer treatments continue to cause fatigue and her pet who is unable to understand her illness.
  • A member’s daughter who is stranded and waiting to come home.
  • A member’s family member who faces a medical procedure later this month.
  • A member who feels overwhelmed by fear and is trying a new therapeutic approach.
  • A member’s daughter, son-in-law, and new grandson.

We give thanks for ….

  • A successful surgery for a member’s brother.
  • Our military service members.
  • The care of our friends and family.

And we pray together the words Christ 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 – 9/9/2026

Week of September 9, 2026

by Rev. Amber Lloyd

Holy One,

Our hearts are full of gratitude today. We give thanks for your abiding presence in our lives, the Comforter and Advocate who mediates Jesus’ presence to us. Spirit, you guide our footsteps when we need direction and carry us when we lack the strength to take another step. We pause now to voice the concerns on our hearts and to listen for your voice.

For our church and its ministries, we ask for your continued guidance. You have placed Church Street United Methodist Church in the heart of downtown Knoxville and called us to serve and love the many neighbors around us. Our church’s history and visibility allow us to make a difference for so many in our city, but we want to do nothing in our own strength. We submit ourselves and our resources to you, Almighty God. Show us where you are at work and reveal how we can join you in building your kingdom here.

For our friends and family who are sick, we ask for healing. Sometimes we struggle to understand how or why you work in the ways that you do, especially when we don’t experience a positive outcome. But we trust your goodness, O God, and we know that your healing touch manifests in many ways, some of them unseen. When we lack understanding, Lord, increase our faith.

We bring these specific requests to you now…

We pray for ….

  • A friend who is caring for her sick father and facing many difficulties.
  • A friend who needs healing.
  • A member whose cancer treatments continue to cause fatigue and her pet who is unable to understand her illness.

We continue to pray for …

  • Members who are being treated for cancer.
  • A member’s daughter who is stranded and waiting to come home.
  • A member’s family member who faces a medical procedure later this month.
  • A friend’s brother-in-law scheduled for surgery this week.
  • A member who feels overwhelmed by fear and is trying a new therapeutic approach.
  • A member’s son as he enters treatment and for his family while they are apart.
  • A member’s daughter-in-law as she receives cancer treatments.
  • A member’s sister and sister’s family as her condition progresses.

We give thanks for ….

  • A member’s successful surgery.
  • Long-awaited answers to questions about pain and health!

We hold fast to your guiding hand, O God, and pray together the words Christ taught his disciples,

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 – 8/19/2026

Week of August 19, 2026

by Rev. Amber Lloyd

Gracious and Loving God,

Your people at Church Street UMC lift up a shout of praise to you this day. You reign over all that you have created; you hold our world in the palm of your hand. You are our God who was, and is, and is to come. We join our hearts and voices with saints around the world, those living and those who have gone before us, and say, “Blessed be the name of the Lord!”

But, fallible as we are, our words are not enough to hold us fast. O Christ, we confess that our eyes do not remain fixed upon you. We seek esteem and worldly significance, and we think we know what we need, what is best for us. We think the waters are calm enough, and we don’t recognize the danger we’re in.

But this world promises trouble for those who follow you, and when the winds howl around us and our boat fills with water, all we can see is disaster. Our fear clouds our vision and we lose sight of the One who is mighty to save.

Forgive us, O God. Reach out your hand and catch us before we slip beneath the water’s surface. Lift us up upon the churning waters and be our strong foundation. Jesus, our conqueror, empower us to withstand the crashing waves of fear and shame. Make us more than conquerors by the power of your Holy Spirit.

Hear the cries of our hearts today, Lord, as some among us have specific needs:

We pray for ….

  • A member figuring things out after a cancer diagnosis.
  • A member who is in the hospital.
  • A member who has entered end-of-life care.
  • A member’s family as they grieve.
  • A member’s grandson who is in the hospital and the family who loves and cares for him.
  • A family facing an extended separation from one another.
  • A member who is scheduled for a CT scan later this month.

We continue to pray for …

  • A member and their family as they mourn the loss of their Aunt.
  • A member who is separating from their spouse.
  • A member’s brother who is recovering from a heart attack and for his family as they care for him.
  • A family in need of a home.

We give thanks for ….

  • The faithful ministry of Reverend Tim Best and his calling as a chaplain in the United States Navy.
  • The continued growth and development of a little boy in intensive care.
  • Shenanigans during youth lock-ins and the chaperones that volunteer to facilitate them.
  • The faithful work of our Church Street custodians and support staff!

We ask that your will be done, O God, and pray together the words your son 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 – 8/12/2026

Week of August 12, 2026

by Rev. Tim Best

Almighty and merciful God,

We give you thanks for this week of new beginnings. We are thankful for teachers, administrators, custodians, aids, coaches and all the faculty and staff that have invested so much time preparing for this week. Bless them as they welcome new students, new classes, and new opportunities for the school year. We are thankful for all those who are students, and we ask that you would bless them, surround them with your love and support as they get used to new routines, new expectations, and new faces. Be with all who teach and learn, that in their pursuits they may know you and see you present in their lives.

Make your love known to those who suffer this day. We lift up those whose suffering we know, the pain that we see, and the suffering that is known only to you. Heal hearts and mend spirits just as much as we pray that you would mend bodies. Where we have caused suffering, transform us, and lead us to reconciliation and peace with one another.

Gracious God, I offer special prayers for this congregation of Church Street United Methodist. As our time together ends, may you give us all an assurance that you are still at work, that you will continue the work of ministry that we have shared. Bless this congregation, that they may continue to grow in their love and service to you and to one another. Guide and strengthen Pastor Jonathan, Pastor Amber, and all the leaders of this community. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon this congregation that it might be the living body of Christ in this community and a sign of your love for all the world.

We add to these prayers the concerns that we hold within our hearts and those that we now share together:

We pray for ….

  • A member and their family as they mourn the loss of their Aunt.
  • Safe travels for a member’s spouse as they travel out of state.
  • A member who is separating from their spouse.
  • A member’s daughter and son-in-law as they face difficulties adopting a child.

We continue to pray for …

  • A member’s family as they go through many joys and struggles.
  • A member’s brother who is recovering from a heart attack and for his family as they care for him.
  • A family in need of a home.
  • A member’s friend who is facing surgery for breast cancer.
  • A member who is mourning the loss of his sister.
  • A friend’s mother who is recovering from a stroke.
  • Strength and comfort for a member as they support a sibling through a difficult time.

We offer these and all concerns to you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, 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.

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Weekly Prayer – 8/02/2026

Week of August 5, 2026

by Rev. Jonathan Jones

Gracious God, we thank you for your ever-present grace and mercy. We thank you for your reconciling love made known to us through Jesus Christ. We thank you for the presence, the peace, and the power of your Holy Spirit surrounding us and filling us.

We confess that we are too often and too easily distracted from your presence.

Though the prophets and the apostles teach us to encounter you in the sound of sheer silence or in the peace of a quiet place, we live so commonly in the roar of traffic, the din of propaganda, the hum of devices, and even the more pleasant sounds of loving voices and soothing music.

This constantly surrounding sound persuades us to make prayer a matter of sound—words that we speak and concerns that we name.

Quiet our spirits. Help us to listen. Help us to be still. Help us to recognize your loving presence amid and despite the noise.

May your Holy Spirit search us and know us in the silence and even in the noise. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

We pray for ….

A member’s family as they go through many joys and struggles.
A member’s brother who is recovering from a heart attack and for his family as they care for him.
A family in need of a home.
A member’s friend who is facing surgery for breast cancer.
Our enemies.
Increased wisdom.
Students and teachers who are starting a new school year.

We continue to pray for …

A member who is mourning the loss of his sister.
A friend’s mother who is recovering from a stroke.
A friend and coworker to escape domestic violence and guidance and protection for her and her son.
A friend who feels overwhelmed and needs peace.
A member’s aunt who is hospitalized and in critical care.
Recovery and rebuilding efforts after a devastating tornado in Northeastern Wisconsin.
A friend’s spouse who is struggling with anger and depression.
A friend’s brother who is feeling stressed and unwell.
A member’s grandmother who is entering hospice care.
Strength and comfort for a member as they support a sibling through a difficult time.
A member’s daughter as she begins fertility treatments.
Two families as they grieve a recent, tragic loss.
A young man who grieves the loss of someone he loves.

We give thanks for ….

The privilege to vote for leaders of our city and state.

And together, we pray as your son 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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Submit your prayer request confidentially by clicking here.

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Weekly Prayer – 7/29/2026

Week of July 29, 2026

by Steve Richardson

God in heaven and in our midst…

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” (Psalm 8: 3-4)

Millennia ago, the psalmist was in awe. We, too, still ponder this, as another brilliant full moon illumines tonight’s summer sky.

Through the life and resurrection of Jesus, you made it clear that you, indeed, care for us. Through the riveting manifestations of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, you affirmed with certainty that you are always with us. Through your church, you continue to bless us with a community of believers striving to help one another. We are humbly grateful.

Thank you for your grace and mercy, even when we don’t deserve either. Thank you for moments of joy, as well as memories of joy. Thank you for your love for us, and for giving us the capacity to love others. Thank you for never abandoning us. Such gifts help sustain us amid the adversities we face.

Make the presence and peace of your Spirit known to us again—especially during times of health challenges, fractured relationships, daily living insecurities, sadness, guilt, anxiety, injustice, financial hardship, loneliness, and simply being worn down and worn out by relentless pressures on us and within us.

Lord, we pray for the clergy and staff of Church Street as they lead your church amid these days of changes. Bolster their minds and hearts with your wisdom. Guide their decisions. Inspire them with insights and actions that magnify your love to members and neighbors around us.

We pray again for leaders in our communities, our state and nation. We entrust them to enable access to justice, opportunity, security and fulfillment for all people of this land. Prompt their adherence to your truths of love, compassion, mutual respect, care of neighbor, kindness, forgiveness and unselfish generosity. As Jesus has already shown, these are the truths that always prevail over evil and inequality.

God of Grace, hear and respond to these earnest prayers of others in our congregation. Hold close all represented here with your loving presence and comfort…

We pray for ….

  • A member who is mourning the loss of his sister.
  • A friend’s mother who is recovering from a stroke.
  • A friend and coworker to escape domestic violence and guidance and protection for her and her son.
  • A friend who feels overwhelmed and needs peace.
  • A member’s aunt who is hospitalized and in critical care.
  • Recovery and rebuilding efforts after a devastating tornado in Northeastern Wisconsin.

We continue to pray for …

  • A miracle for a friend’s son and his son’s relationships with his partner and children.
  • A friend to find employment with benefits.
  • A friend who feels stuck and alone.
  • A friend’s spouse who is struggling with anger and depression.
  • A friend’s brother who is feeling stressed and unwell.
  • A member’s grandmother who is entering hospice care.
  • Salvation and healing for a friend’s close relative.
  • A friend in need of healing.
  • Strength and comfort for a member as they support a sibling through a difficult time.
  • A friend’s spouse who struggles with drug addiction.
  • A member’s daughter as she begins fertility treatments.
  • Two families as they grieve a recent, tragic loss.
  • A young man who grieves the loss of someone he loves.

And now we open our minds and hearts to you, gracious God, remembering 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.

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Weekly Prayer – 7/22/2026

Week of July 22, 2026

by Rev. Amber Lloyd

Holy One,

Your saints at Church Street lift their hearts together in praise and adoration of our good God. We bless your name for you are our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Lord, there is none like you, and we are in awe. Accept our worship, O God, and hear our prayers today.

We confess our sins to you for you are merciful and abounding in steadfast love. When we have asserted our own will and failed to follow yours, we confess our pride and ask for your forgiveness. When your Spirit has called us to act, but we have been too afraid to respond, we confess our fear and ask for your forgiveness. Lord, help us to seek forgiveness when we have hurt others, and give us the courage to forgive those who hurt us.

Reflecting on this day, we can see glimpses of you in our work and toil, in our conversations with others, and even in the mundane tasks of our Wednesday routines. We give thanks for friends and family who offer consolation, comfort, and care. We thank you for the beauty of your creation which reminds us how closely you attend to even the smallest details of our lives. For chores and responsibilities, commutes and deadlines, schedules and expectations, we give you thanks, O God. We are each given this one precious life, and we are grateful that you walk it with us.

We intercede now for those among us who are in need. We ask for healing as only you can give for those who are sick or in pain. For those who feel uncertain about their next steps or afraid of what they know is coming, we ask for your guidance and encouragement. Jesus, reveal to us how we can be your hands and feet. Open our eyes to see as you see, so that we may love others as you have loved us.

We offer these requests to you now:

We pray for ….

  • A miracle for a friend’s son and his son’s relationships with his partner and children.
  • A friend to find employment with benefits.
  • Peaceful rest for a friend.
  • A friend who feels stuck and alone.
  • A friend’s spouse who is struggling with anger and depression.
  • A friend’s brother who is feeling stressed and unwell.
  • A member’s grandmother who is entering hospice care.
  • Salvation and healing for a friend’s close relative.
  • A friend in need of healing.
  • A member who is still in the hospital.
  • God’s blessing and guidance throughout our elections.

We continue to pray for …

  • Strength and comfort for a member as they support a sibling through a difficult time.
  • A friend’s spouse who struggles with drug addiction.
  • A member’s daughter as she begins fertility treatments.
  • Two families as they grieve a recent, tragic loss.
  • A young man who grieves the loss of someone he loves.
  • Healing for a member’s sister and for her ability to tolerate treatment.
  • A member’s cousin and spouse as one begins a new treatment for cancer.
  • A friend fighting cancer.
  • A member’s friend who is waiting for further testing.
  • A friend recovering from a canine attack.

We give thanks for ….

  • An impactful week of MAD in the City for our youth!
  • A wonderful week of Choir Camp for our children!

And together, we pray as your son taught us, 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.

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Weekly Prayer – 7/15/2026

Week of July 15, 2026

by Rev. Jonathan Jonas

Gracious God, we thank you for the gift of this day, and if we haven’t yet paused to acknowledge your presence today, help us to be still and to know that you are God and to know that you are near.

Pour out your Holy Spirit upon each of us to enable us to grow in gratitude, in compassion, in grace, and in love.

Your gift of love stirs us to lift up to you people who are dear to us and even dearer to you. As we pray for them, grant us grace and peace to remember that even the hairs of their heads are counted. Let them know the depth of your loving presence surrounding them in their sickness, sadness, anxiety, fear, and frustration. May your loving presence encourage them, comfort them, soothe them, and give them hope.

Give us humility—both individually and in all the ways we live in community—to prefer love over power. Give us grace to seek your image in the other, rather than seeing the worst within them.

Please give us the desire to grow in our love for you and our neighbors, the discernment to know your will for us, and the determination to live in ways that glorify you.

Let our lights shine toward Jesus, the light of the world, in whose name we pray.

Amen.

We pray for ….

  • Strength and comfort for a member as they support a sibling through a difficult time.
  • A friend’s spouse who struggles with drug addiction.
  • A member’s daughter as she begins fertility treatments.
  • Two families as they grieve a recent, tragic loss.
  • A young man who grieves the loss of someone he loves.

We continue to pray for …

  • Healing for a member’s sister and for her ability to tolerate treatment.
  • A member’s cousin and spouse as one begins a new cancer treatment.
  • A friend fighting cancer.
  • A member’s friend who has been diagnosed with cancer and waiting for further testing.
  • A friend recovering from a canine attack
  • A sister who needs peace.
  • A member grieving the loss of her sister.
  • A member waiting for test results and a treatment plan.
  • A member grieving the loss of their grandfather.

We give thanks for ….

  • A sisters’ road trip to New Orleans.

And together, we 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 prayer request confidentially by clicking here.

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Weekly Prayer – 07/08/2026

Week of July 8, 2026

by Rev. Tim Best

Blessed are you, Lord God, creator of day and night: to you be praise and glory forever. As darkness falls, you renew your promise to reveal among us the light of your presence. By the light of Christ, your living Word, dispel the darkness of our hearts that we may walk as children of light and sing your praise throughout the world.

As our evening prayer rises before you, O God, so may your mercy come down upon us to cleanse our hearts and set us free to sing your praise now and forever.

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified: hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people, that in their vocation and ministry they may serve you in holiness and truth to the glory of your name;

We pray for ….

  • Healing for a member’s sister and for her ability to tolerate treatment.
  • A member’s cousin and spouse as one begins a new treatment for cancer.
  • A friend fighting cancer.
  • A member’s friend who has been diagnosed with cancer and waiting for further testing.

We continue to pray for …

  • A friend recovering from a canine attack
  • A sister who needs peace.
  • A member grieving the loss of her sister.
  • A member waiting for test results and a treatment plan.
  • A member grieving the loss of their grandfather.

We give thanks for ….

  • A successful Soup Kitchen Celebration!
  • Our freedom as citizens of the United States of America.
  • The opportunity to serve our community.

As our Savior taught us, so we 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.

This prayer is adapted from Methodistprayer.org, which is a modern interpretation of John Wesley’s prayer book.

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