Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of April 19, 2023
Rev. Catherine Nance
O God of Resurrection Power, as we live into our Easter faith, we remember the disciples and their visits with Jesus after ‘the third day.’
- Mary being surprised by him in the garden, but hearing your name;
- Thomas missing out on the group meeting and asking reasonable questions;
- Cleopas and his friend who walked with him all that way and did not recognize him until after he had broken bread and departed;
- Peter and the others fishing and seeing a familiar figure (but they dare not believe) on the shore.
If we were to write our accounts, Jesus, what would we add to the gospel writers’ stories? Where have we seen you? Have we even looked for you?
As we look back over our day, where have you surprised us, O Christ? As we think back over encounters, were you speaking to us? Was that you nudging us, Jesus? Was that you, causing us to rethink and take a second look?
We want the alleluias from two Sundays ago to reverberate in our soul, but we get distracted by other chants and voices. We hear the anguish of citizens who are concerned about gun violence and the cries of parents whose children have died. We hear the concern over our denomination and churches leaving to go out on their own. We hear government leaders making promises about safety. We hear people who are sick pleading for healing.
O God, as we lay our head down this evening, our prayer is that we can intertwine the Alleluias into the needs and struggles of this world. We cannot keep them separate; forgive us when we try. If we praise you in church, then we must trust that you are working in your world. May we see you along the road and in the boardroom and at the school and in the offices where decisions are made. How might we utter or cry out alleluia – proclaiming Resurrection power in our everyday living.
We thank you for words of promise and praise from our scriptures:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. (1 Peter 1:3-4)
May our first word in the morning be, Alleluia! May we mean it!
In the name of Jesus we pray ….
We pray for ….
- A couple who is moving from Florida to be close to sister and brother-in-law here in Knoxville. Sister has brain shrinkage and dementia. Thankful they can move closer so her family can help with her care. Prayers for our church members who are preparing to welcome them into the neighborhood and care!
- One of our church’s unhoused neighbors: to give him peace from his concerns, protection in his unhoused status and grace as he makes his self-appointed rounds to remove trash at the downtown churches.
- A member’s son who lives out of state and who is having such a difficult time. Serious medical issues; his best friend has had heart attack and is in coma; and, his wife is wanting a divorce. Prayers for his health as he faces all of these overwhelming circumstances.
- A couple’s 24-year old daughter who has had to move out of their home. Prayers for her well-being and theirs.
- A young boy who is dealing with brain cancer and complications from scar tissue; prayers for his parents who were preparing for his surgery and then told that is not feasible.
- Governor Lee
- Members of a Sunday School class who hold each other in prayer each week.
- A member who has been diagnosed with lung cancer
- Friends who are struggling with family situations and finances
- A sister who is waiting on results of PET scan
We continue to pray for …
- Those who are grieving after the sudden death of loved ones
- A member who was injured at work
- A friend who is waiting for diagnostic tests
We offer prayers of thanksgiving for …
- Our daughter who is pregnant with our second grandchild.
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.
