BINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
January 27, 2021
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
Each of you should use whatever gifts you
have received to serve others,
as faithful stewards of God’s grace
in its various forms.
I Peter 4:10
Even before our eyes opened this frosty morning, your blessings were floating down: the newspaper delivered before dawn, the floor toasted by the warm flow from the radiator, the purring cat on the stoop, and the dew on the grass sparkling as crystals strewn by a loving hand. You have walked with us through these long days of heaviness, Generous One; and because you deem us worthy, you granted us this, another day of living under your grace. Praise be to you, Giver of Life!
Now the dusky hours have arrived and we ponder the personal talents you have imparted to each of us – gifts of music, decision-making, hospitality, creativity, healing, teaching, and others – gifts not sought, but offered free of cost for the betterment of your world . . . . . . . . . . . And in review, we ask ourselves how we may have employed our individual talents today in the service of others . . . . . . . . . . Please forgive those instances we uttered idle words and performed hollow deeds, especially . . . . . . . . . . Because of Jesus, you do take notice of even our small efforts made in sincerity. May our simple services multiply as we mature in our faith, that in some unknowable way, your kingdom will be enriched.
Christ, our Confidant, surely the hallways of heaven are replete with pleas and petitions, perhaps even stacked to infinity. Maybe your rooms are filling up and there is little space left for the angels to pass through the hallways. But thanks to you, each prayer is received in earnest, as it is extended; each is valued, as is each one who offered it. Therefore, we unhesitatingly offer our private prayers in your name . . . . . . . . . . And we lift these also on behalf of our friends at Church Street:
- Member offers gratitude for ease of logging onto online worship and connecting to Sunday School class
- Thankful niece’s health is improving
- Gratitude for added donations to local missions
- Husband and wife grateful for vaccine appointment
- Comfort for sons: Beloved mother nearing death
- One hospitalized with multiple maladies
- Continued healing of young relative
- Solace for member: Death of a beloved brother
- Healing for cherished cousin, stroke victim
- Couple struggling with virus recovery and depression
- Mother with pancreatic cancer, wisdom for MD Anderson physicians
- Guidance and wisdom for our nation’s leaders
- For peace to reign in our country
- Increased availability of virus vaccine
- Aging father recovering from surgery
- Three recovering from serious heart issues
- Healing: Two families with Covid
- Infant cousin with brain tumor, wisdom for physicians
- Strength for two mothers: Sons gripped by addiction
- Continued prayers: One enduring chemo
- Strength for two weary caregivers
- For insurance company to approve chemo
Our Christian journey began and will end in you, Holy One, for you have shown us that our lives do matter. Watch over us all as the darkness falls and give us the confidence to rest in you, with the prayer of your Son upon our lips:
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.
