BINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
September 17, 2020
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
O Gracious One, as we begin our morning, may your praise be among the first words we speak. Your extending to us another day is a gift in itself, for within these hours ahead you will open new doors, bring us into contact with new faces, and offer new opportunities to serve as followers of your Blessed Son. In whatever circumstance we find ourselves, may others observe us as your servants alone, nothing more, nothing less. And when we respond with the kindness, warmth, and joy of Christ, may his holy essence be reflected, and be counted as our humble gift to you.
Lord of Life, hear our prayer.
Holy Deliverer, in spite of your benevolence, we ask forgiveness for our binding ourselves too tightly to this transient life of ours. Our good earth is a wondrous place filled with glories and mysteries that defy description, yet we have marred much of the natural world you created and offered freely for our sustenance. We have failed to live in peace with our neighbors both near and far, forgetting that your creation is their gift as well. We have caused great harm to those whose appearance and customs differ from our own and we are too easily swayed by that which glitters, taking the easy route instead of accepting the challenge of working for the good of the whole. Lift our eyes from our egocentric existence to that world that you envision, where all are equal, where all lifeforms are sacred.
Lord of Life, hear our prayer.
Our own present turmoil is no secret from you, Omniscient One. Covid-19, our most formidable foe, has insinuated itself into every corner of our lives, leaving grave economic and social losses in its wake. Governments appear unable to quell the pulsing hatred and havoc played-out on backroads and city streets. Wrecking lives and property, wind, storm, and fire continue unabated. We are a people in pain, and we long for peace and restoration. Lead us, we pray, to that avenue of healing.
Lord of Life, hear our prayer.
As a community of faith, we wrestle with our questions and uncertainties in these tenuous times; but we know in our hearts, O Lord, that you will see us through whatever befalls. And holding fast to your mercy, we mention these most salient concerns of our brothers and sisters of Church Street:
- Grateful: Wounded pet is now able to walk, therapy continues
- Thankful for those curbing hunger through private donations
- Member thankful for new cancer meds that offer him a fuller life
- Prayers for firefighters & EMTs involved in dangerous work in the West
- Comfort for 2 families burying beloved parents in coming days
- Prayers for family who mourn the death of a 62-year-old aunt
- Daughters & families in WA, a son & family in CA – need improved air quality – raging fires are making breathing a struggle
- Close friend hospitalized, healing from gunshot wound
- NICU baby, prayers that his heart may begin to function properly
- A cousin undergoing heart surgery, for successful results
- Prayers for all with medical concerns & those awaiting test results
- Lifting of anxiety & depression for 2 members who live alone
- Healing of beloved husband in ICU
- Precious child & parents involved in custody hearings
- Family in Nashville: one suffers from virus, others await test results
- Friend having rectal surgery this week, for success & healing
- Mother near death, comfort for family members waiting nearby
- Loved ones in the path of the hurricane & tropical storms
Lord of Life, hear our prayer.
How blessed we are that you are our Loving Parent, who encourages us to stay the course even when the we cannot know what lies ahead. The fact that you believe in us is encouragement sufficient to steady us as we travel in the name of Jesus, and to pray as he 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.
