Prayer for October 28, 2026

by Rev. Jonathan Jonas

Holy God, in this week that we celebrate your saints, your holy ones, we praise you for your eternal love. We thank you for the ones who have taught us to follow Jesus.
They may have been our pastors, our choir directors, our Sunday school teachers, our youth leaders, or mentors in other ministries.
They may have been our mothers, our fathers, our grandparents, or others in our families.
Because of their teaching and example, we now walk this journey of discipleship in Jesus’ name.
For all of those who have left our presence to enter into yours, we pray for eternal peace and rest.

For all of us who form the Body of Christ on earth and in this congregation, we pray for inspiration and encouragement.
Make us faithful in the ways in which we love and share in Jesus’ name.
Make us fruitful in the ways in which we invite others to join us on the journey.
Make us holy and humble.
May we be for future generations—and perhaps for the people around us everyday—holy ones who show by our teaching and example what it means to be a disciple.

Pour out your Holy Spirit on all who are in need, all who hurt, all who are lonely, and all who feel unloved. May they know that you are near and that you love them dearly.
We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

We pray for ….

• A member who had a total knee replacement this week.
• A friend’s parents- may they place their trust in Jesus.
• A member who is recovering from a broken arm.
• A member to recognize their sin, seek God’s forgiveness, and mend broken relationships.
• The ability to see our neighbor as someone to love rather than fear.

We continue to pray for …

• A member’s health as they wait for a diagnosis.
• For a member’s upcoming medical testing and doctor’s appointments as well as navigating a recent chronic illness diagnosis.
• All persons who are free, detained, or in fear of being detained, that they may be treated love and respect, and afforded due process.
• A member’s nephew as he navigates life as a college freshman.
• Immigrant children who are being separated from their parents and families.
• Direction for a member recently widowed.
• A member’s friend for the passing of his wife. Prayers for comfort and healing.
• A member who recently lost her sister and brother-in-law, and for her nephew as he grieves.

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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Prayer for October 14, 2026

by Kristen Struyk

Loving and Gracious God,

This Wednesday, our separate paths connect for this brief time as we join together to feel your presence and remember each other in prayer. Whether our days have been full of working or full of waiting, full of striving or full of sinking, we bring it all to you now.

God, we are often overwhelmed by the constant flow of information available to us. We grow weary from deciphering what is true and what is not, from verifying videos, and from reading community notes. Help us not to be afraid. Forgive us when our search for information distracts us from our purpose: to love you and each other.

You know the truth of how each of us is feeling. We rejoice that we do not have to explain, verify, or prove anything to be seen, known, and loved by you. You look past our achievements and failures to see the condition of our hearts. You share in our overflowing joy. You encourage our pressing questions. You receive our heartfelt gratitude and praise. You walk with us through deep and dark thoughts. You welcome our unfiltered expressions of hard and heavy feelings. We find rest in connection with you, knowing even our secret, silent, wordless prayers are heard.

You tell us the truth—that we are yours. You assure us that our worth doesn’t waver with our work, our health, our finances, our relationships, or our circumstances. You invite us to remember that the way you love us is the way you love everyone: everyone on the other side of the ballot, everyone on the other side of our borders, everyone on the other side of our jokes, and everyone on the other side of our anger. Give us the courage to remember that there are no sides or separations in you.

You are the Truth to which we turn our attention, again and again. We breathe easier when we are aware of your presence. We offer you not only the sincerity of our words but also our faithful service in solidarity with all who are suffering. Lead us closer to your heart as we learn to discern what matters most and live out the truth of your love.

With love and care for one another, we join our voices together to share the stories of those with specific concerns, requests, and thanksgivings:

We pray for ….

• A friend who has been separated from her child and struggles with her mental health.
• A family who is traveling and transitioning during this season. May they safely and joyfully reunite after a long separation.
• Direction for a member recently widowed.
• A niece in danger of losing her eyesight and wisdom for physicians who treat her.
• A family surrounding a young mother who is dying of pancreatic cancer.
• A friend’s family member who needs sound, spiritual guidance.
• That our civic leaders will govern with respect, compassion, and justice for all.
• For our neighbors who are living in fear- that they be treated with compassion, decency, and dignity.

We continue to pray for …

• A member’s friend for the passing of his wife. Prayers for comfort and healing.
• A friend who is looking for guidance to go through life with a strong spirit.
• A woman who has been detained without cause for almost a year and is now struggling with her health.
• A friend who is facing eviction from her home.
• A member’s friend who is scheduled for surgery in October.
• A member’s sister who has lost her only sister.
• A member’s nephew who has lost his mother due to a car accident.
• A member’s brother-in-law who is hospitalized after a car accident and mourning the loss of his wife in the accident.

We give thanks for ….

• Answered prayers for a member’s brother and for all those praying for him.
• The support of Christian friends.
• The start of fall weather in East Tennessee!

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.

Prayer for September 30, 2026

From Steve Richardson

God in heaven and in our midst: Make your presence known to us during these moments of prayer.

You are an ever-flowing fount of love, hope, joy, grace, comfort and peace. Created in your image, teach us ways to be more like you. Guide us to be people who yearn for selfless justice and who shun selfish justice.

It’s so easy to be distracted by the ups and downs of the things always happening everywhere we go. Help us as we set our priorities today, tomorrow and each day that follows, so they align with your purposes. Of course, as you know, there are often times when our priorities are set for us by people and matters beyond our control. For all these, give us the flexibility, patience and perseverance to fulfill our commitments through actions that sustain or build your kingdom.

Lord, you surely know the pain and toils of grief, brokenness, health problems, insecurity, fear, injustice, disrespect, loneliness, negligence, violent conflict between your people, hatred, prejudice, economic uncertainties, and the many, many other difficulties we encounter. Honestly, God, such circumstances sometimes lead us to question your presence and grace. In moments of doubt, restore and sustain our faith. Through prayer, through scripture, through the kindness of others, and through support by your church community, refresh our tired spirits with your everlasting love and promises of hope.

We’re grateful that you always turn toward us, never turning away from us. We don’t know why you choose to do this time-after-time, especially when we’re the ones prone to turn away. Channel us, Lord, to accept and sense your unwavering presence and to strive to always be turning toward you.

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 woman who has been detained without cause for almost a year and is now struggling with her health.
• A friend who is facing eviction from her home.
• A member’s friend who is scheduled for surgery in October.
• A friend as they seek to be a doer of the Word.
• A friend who seeks companionship.
• A member’s sister who has lost her only sister.
• A member’s nephew who has lost his mother due to a car accident.
• A member’s brother-in-law who is hospitalized after a car accident and mourning the loss of his wife in the accident

We continue to pray for …

• A member’s friend who has been diagnosed with cancer.
• A member who is caring for their spouse.
• Financial stability for a friend, healing for their ex, and for their reconciliation.
• Safety for a member and their classmates as they travel out of the country and for the parents who will miss them.
• A member’s continued healing and recovery after surgery.
• A member who is in the hospital and their parents as they care for them.
• A friend who was diagnosed with cancerous tumors on his liver with the expectation of a liver transplant in the future.

We give thanks for ….

• The opportunity to be a part of a church community that welcomes all people and that works diligently for all to be seen and loved.
• God’s neverending mercies!
• Volunteers who faithfully serve the church.
• The blessing of a new baby in Keith Bailey’s family!
• Lily’s return home from the hospital.
• Remote Area Medical and their commitment to providing free medical services twice a month on Soup Kitchen days.
• The ministry of our Preschool, and the love and care given to over 50 children daily through the week.

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.

Have a Prayer Request?

Submit your prayer request confidentially by clicking here.

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.

Have a Prayer Request?

Submit your prayer request confidentially by clicking here.