Weekly Prayer – 7/29/2026

Week of July 29, 2026

by Steve Richardson

God in heaven and in our midst…

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” (Psalm 8: 3-4)

Millennia ago, the psalmist was in awe. We, too, still ponder this, as another brilliant full moon illumines tonight’s summer sky.

Through the life and resurrection of Jesus, you made it clear that you, indeed, care for us. Through the riveting manifestations of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, you affirmed with certainty that you are always with us. Through your church, you continue to bless us with a community of believers striving to help one another. We are humbly grateful.

Thank you for your grace and mercy, even when we don’t deserve either. Thank you for moments of joy, as well as memories of joy. Thank you for your love for us, and for giving us the capacity to love others. Thank you for never abandoning us. Such gifts help sustain us amid the adversities we face.

Make the presence and peace of your Spirit known to us again—especially during times of health challenges, fractured relationships, daily living insecurities, sadness, guilt, anxiety, injustice, financial hardship, loneliness, and simply being worn down and worn out by relentless pressures on us and within us.

Lord, we pray for the clergy and staff of Church Street as they lead your church amid these days of changes. Bolster their minds and hearts with your wisdom. Guide their decisions. Inspire them with insights and actions that magnify your love to members and neighbors around us.

We pray again for leaders in our communities, our state and nation. We entrust them to enable access to justice, opportunity, security and fulfillment for all people of this land. Prompt their adherence to your truths of love, compassion, mutual respect, care of neighbor, kindness, forgiveness and unselfish generosity. As Jesus has already shown, these are the truths that always prevail over evil and inequality.

God of Grace, hear and respond to these earnest prayers of others in our congregation. Hold close all represented here with your loving presence and comfort…

We pray for ….

• A member who is mourning the loss of his sister.
• A friend’s mother who is recovering from a stroke.
• A friend and coworker to escape domestic violence and guidance and protection for her and her son.
• A friend who feels overwhelmed and needs peace.
• A member’s aunt who is hospitalized and in critical care.
• Recovery and rebuilding efforts after a devastating tornado in Northeastern Wisconsin.

We continue to pray for …

• A miracle for a friend’s son and his son’s relationships with his partner and children.
• A friend to find employment with benefits.
• A friend who feels stuck and alone.
• A friend’s spouse who is struggling with anger and depression.
• A friend’s brother who is feeling stressed and unwell.
• A member’s grandmother who is entering hospice care.
• Salvation and healing for a friend’s close relative.
• A friend in need of healing.
• Strength and comfort for a member as they support a sibling through a difficult time.
• A friend’s spouse who struggles with drug addiction.
• A member’s daughter as she begins fertility treatments.
• Two families as they grieve a recent, tragic loss.
• A young man who grieves the loss of someone he loves.

And now we open our minds and hearts to you, gracious God, remembering the prayer Jesus 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.

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