Weekly Prayer – April 16, 2025

Written by Rev. Catherine Nance

We sing this hymn, which is a prayer, at the beginning of Lent. As we come to the end of these forty days, let us offer the prayer again for strength, direction, and purpose. 

Lord, who throughout these forty days  

for us didst fast and pray,  

teach us with thee to mourn our sins  

and close by thee to stay.  

As thou with Satan didst contend,  

and didst the victory win,  

O give us strength in thee to fight, 

 in thee to conquer sin.  

As thou didst hunger bear, and thirst,  

so teach us, gracious Lord to die to self,  

and chiefly live by thy most holy word.  

And through these days of penitence,  

and through thy Passiontide,  

yea, evermore in life and death,  

Jesus, with us abide.  

Abide with us, that so, this life  

of suffering over past,  

an Easter of unending joy  

we may attain at last. 

Text written by Claudia F. Hernaman, 1873 

United Methodist Hymnal, p. 269; 1989 edition 

We pray for…

• A sister who will have a follow up (every 6 months) pet scan.  She is very nervous. Prayers for peace.
• A third-grader who was hit with flying debris during tornado in Kentucky. He is still in hospital; prayers for healing and for his family.
• A husband who has developed congestive heart failure since his last hospital stay. Prayers for him as he adjusts to assisted living facility.  
• For a member whose immune system is compromised from cancer treatments; prayers for patience, comfort, and healing as she is feeling isolated.
• For a friend who has terminal cancer and has now broken her femur. Prayers for comfort and peace. 
• Friends and family members needing prayers
• An 88-year old aunt in failing health who is in so much pain and is depressed; prayers for comfort and mercy
• For one who is working through the long process of finalizing divorce from abusive spouse
• Financial concerns
• Prayers for a successful intervention for a friend who has so many addictions
• For one who is going for last chemo treatment; praying this is successful.
• A wife who has been diagnosed with stage-4 metastatic cancer; prayers for her family.
• A member having surgery on Friday.
• A wife who is in due to GI issues; prayers for comfort and peace as she waits for surgery at end of this month.
• A sister who has so much on her with family concerns; prayers for strength.
• An elementary  teacher diagnosed with cancer; having surgery next month. Praying for complete recovery.
• Parents who are feeling anxious about our country and who are concerned about wellbeing of their children.

We continue to pray for…

• A wife grieving the death of her husband while she recovers from surgery in rehab
• Family members/friends who are dealing with addiction issues and dealing with the legal system. 
• A member recovering from an infection and patiently waiting for surgery; thankful for all of the prayers.
• A mother dealing with a recent diagnosis and waiting on further testing.
• Those who are receiving chemo and/or radiation treatments.
• Family members who are trying to balance caregiving and work and family responsibilities.
• Those who are impacted by homelessness.
• So many who are dealing with Alzheimers and how best to care for family members. Praying for strength!

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for…

• A glorious Palm Sunday service. So thankful for all of our wonderful musicians and ministers!
• A positive meeting with oncologist. Thankful for a doctor who takes time to listen!

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.