Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of November 2, 2022
Rev. Tim Best
God of all the saints,
In the midst of this week of remembering those holy people that have come before us, we give you thanks for those saints that have shaped our own lives. For parents and friends, grandparents and mentors, and for all those we have loved that have gone on from this life, we give you thanks. Where our hearts remain heavy, lift us up by your love and grace.
Even as we remember the love and example of the saints and look with hope towards that day where all creation rejoices, we are mindful of the needs of our world today. Those whom we refer to now as saints are people who during their lives sought to be faithful to you despite the challenges of the world. Make your grace and presence known to those who suffer and those who feel far from you.
In our observance of All Saint’s we proclaim that those who rest in you, rest in your peace. We pray for your peace to come near us now. As an election nears, we pray that the temptation to violence would be overwhelmed by your love. We pray for a peaceful transition of power in Brazil. We pray for peace in Ukraine. We long for the peace you promise to your saints to fill our world. Help all those who profess to be your disciples become peacemakers. We may not be able to end the war in Ukraine, or to solve political uncertainty abroad, but we can be peacemakers. When we disagree with one another, let the grace that binds us to you and to one another guide us to be forgiving, patient, and humble.
When we look upon all the saints that you have set before us we see your love that stretches across all the sorts of people you have made. You have used the young and the old, the rich and the poor, the powerful and the powerless. Your Spirit works within folks of every nation. Your Word is known to peoples of every language. Break down the barriers that we set between each other and draw us into the community of saints from across all time and space.
We pray for ….
- Young man whose new job fell through; prayers for positive spirit as he continues to look for work in these difficult times. Praying that our trust is in God who is faithful. So many in the same situation!
- A neighbor who had brain mass removed; prayers for patience as family waits on diagnosis. Prayers for healing and to feel God’s presence.
- A recent widow offers prayers for her deceased husband’s brothers; one in hospice care and another dealing with Alzheimers. Prayers for adult children who are dealing with these stressful situations.
- A father-in-law, age 97, who lives in Gaithersburg, had leg amputated last week.
- Prayers for two members who are experiencing back pain … may relief be found!
- A Sunday School class prays that our churches stay true to our conservative roots and that we will be a church that welcomes and loves all people.
- The delegates to the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference as new bishops are elected this week.
- A precious juvenile who has struggled so much with accepting himself he is heading to incarceration; Lord, have mercy. Have mercy on the mother who has loved him so well. And continues to do so with all of her heart. Prayers of hope being offered …
- A church member’s coworker committed suicide and leaves behind a wife and two young children. Prayers for their well-being as well as colleagues.
- A church member who has MS and is dealing with poor living conditions; prayers for discernment about moving.
- Second-graders in our church (each adult Sunday School class has been assigned a grade)
- Prayers for ‘all the saints!’
- Friends who are going through struggles …. Lord you know their need.
- A mother who fell; recovering in rehab facility.
We offer prayers of thanksgiving for ….
- A nineteen-year old grandson who was in a horrific car wreck but is healing at UT hospital. Thanking God that he was able to get out of the car; suffered broken bones which will heal. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
- An 84-year old mother who celebrates her birthday this week. Prayers for good health and prayers of thanksgiving for a loving family!
Unite us in purpose and prayer as we join together in that prayer that Christ taught us, praying:
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.
