BINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
November 17, 2020
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
Creating God, as your Spirit moved over the chaos to give light and life to our world, send that same spirit around and through us today to awaken what has withered within. We confess that we move as automatons amid the hours, giving only a rare nod to the glory that you have placed so near. Leaves smile and sparkle, birds offer you praise, supple moss softens the footpath, pansies bow their heads as the wind calls your name. Awaken us from our stupor! Help us relinquish our dreams of another life, for in so many ways, we are already living the dream.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Noble Giver, we confess that we place our trust in passing trends, in the false idols of wealth and fame. Worldly glory and acclaim are tenuous. We know this, but we confess that envy seeps into our spirits far too often. We note what others possess and witness the freedom their affluence offers them. Remind us that prestige and prosperity do not move us closer to your side; teach us to be content with what we have, for we have more than enough. Forgive our foolish wanderings, we pray, and help us cling to Christ, who works through your grace to meet all our needs.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Enduring One, we who abide in your fold admit that we are shaken by the suffering so near at hand. Before we can absorb one grief, another takes its place. Be with each one afflicted with the coronavirus, we pray: those who are ill, especially those in critical care; those who cringe in fear; each one who grieves the loss of loved ones who succumbed to the disease; those isolated from family and friends, especially those who are confused; those whose livelihoods have been disrupted; educators and students trying to move forward in spite of great obstacles; caregivers and healthcare workers whose energy is all but depleted. Shine your unfading light upon each one, rekindling their broken spirits, that they may feel our prayers on their behalf, that they may know they are not alone, and that they be secure in their hearts that your strength will see them through.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
And as you offer us every opportunity to share our deepest selves with you, we place before you these additional needs and gratitudes of your people and Church Street. Thank you for never too busy to listen when we call:
- Celebration of husband’s return home after delicate heart surgery
- Gratitude for test results showing no indication of cancer
- Thanksgiving: Member home following bypass surgery
- Grateful that beloved mother is recovering well from virus
- Refugee children held on US border, that they may be released and reunited with their families before Christmas
- Prayers for resolution of conflicts within two families
- Peace for faithful member awaiting PET scan results this week
- Protection of all healthcare workers who serve at great risk
- Lift up a very ill sister-in-law who remains in ICU with COVID
- Healing of teenage daughter, courage for worried parents
- Comfort for husband whose young wife died last week and for entire family who are trying to find a way forward
- Solace for two sons who grieve the death of their mother on Saturday
- Prayers that a lonely daughter will find friends and companionship
- Healing for a beloved mother & a father hospitalized with COVID
- Strength and guidance for caregiver; continued healing for her husband
- Mercy and peace for wife whose husband (51) died of a massive stroke
- Healing from virus: young grandson and a young granddaughter
- Prayers that a daughter finds the work God wants her to undertake
- Faithful Christian friend with progressive cancer, now in ICU
- A hospitalized brother, healing of foot infection, strength for family
Watch over us in these bleak times, O Lord, for we trust you will bear us up on eagle wings, as you have done from age to age, and one day we shall soar high above to reside with you and with your Beloved Son, who taught us this prayer:
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.
