BINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
March 17, 2021
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
Daylight lengthens and trails of today’s clouds have not yet yielded to dusk. Their filmy luster forms a fine pillow for the crusty mountain tops. Settle us down, too, Lord, as we set aside our daily tasks; and let us keep company with the soothing silence and your love that never fades. There were times this day when our energy waned, when we doubted ourselves, and when our fears almost got the best of us, especially when . . . . . . . . . . And then somehow, not of our own volition, our fears melted and situations turned in our favor. Again, it was your intervening grace that moved before us, gently unraveling all the testy obstacles that bound us. We now bow in reverent silence, offering our praise. . . . . . . . .
Steadfast Friend, you called us to be your disciples and we pledged to follow wherever you chose to lead us. In our joyful acceptance, we thought we could easily leave our doubts and insecurities, our prejudices and pride, our bitterness and grudges behind us. Little did we know they would be cropping up to mock us at every corner. Self-denial and humility, it appears, have joined forces to become a lifetime struggle. You assure us that you are in the struggle with us, Lord, and that you are pleased with the small progress we have made in learning to live as Jesus. Maybe, when our steps are completely unreliable, you won’t even mind carrying us the rest of the way to the kingdom.
We do rejoice that your patience never grows thin and that we might ever express our daily cares to you, no matter how massive or inconsequential they may seem. You, O Merciful One, are always ready to receive our petitions and handle them with reverence; so we lay our gratitude at your feet and also our personal pleas, that you might mold them to bring glory to your name:
- Gratitude: Willing volunteers to assist in worship
- Prayers appreciated: Youngster with head injury has returned to school
- Thanksgiving: Sister in rehab is progressing
- Two at-risk persons grateful for church’s help in procuring vaccine
- Couple celebrate the birth of baby girl yesterday
- Grateful for prayers: A new home will soon be possible
- Member celebrates the end of long-term chemo
- Comfort for an uncle in very diminished health
- Prayers for safe birth of grandchild
- Husband with MS, relief for breathing issues
- Solace for family in husband’s untimely death
- Grace for friend awaiting treatment plan
- Proper diagnosis of a 6-year-old’s seizures
- Guidance and support for friend divorcing
- Rest and recovery for one following throat surgery
- One recovering from tongue malignancy
- Member healing from heart surgery
- Three having chemo this week, for reduced side effects
We lie down as privileged people, Silent Keeper, for you have forgiven us and have received our earnest prayers. Blanket us, we pray, and all whom we love, with your stole of reconciliation, that even our dreams are in accord with your own.
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.
