Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of April 20, 2022
Rev. Jan Buxton Wade
Hail thee Festival Day! It was just before dawn when the glow of the Easter moon pulled our eyes upward — the first to disclose that darkness was fleeing – the first to whisper that new life was coming into the world. Praises that we did not miss the dawn of your day of triumph, Faithful Lord! Praises that you appeared to us in the faces of so many blessed ones around us! Praises that your light penetrated our marred exteriors and pierced our souls! “Shine on,” you seemed to say, “that this holy light will pour out forever through you!”Ah, such is the love that cleanses and refines, that erases the sins of yesterday and points toward tomorrow, that ever offers a new beginning!
Yes, O God, our hearts became wings on Easter as your splendor lifted us to hope of heaven! Yet we know many who continue to bear the wounds of Good Friday and remain locked in the dark tomb of pain: the ill of mind and body, the forgotten, the poor and the lonely, the dispirited and victims of terror. We remember those times when you resurrected the dead parts within ourselves and offered us another way of living; and so we pray for those who are searching for a glimmer of relief, especially these we name in our hearts before you: . . . . . . . . . . Give them also, Father of Mercy, a new way of living, and remember, as well, these members of our church family who bring earnest prayers this day:
- Thanksgiving for a first grandchild, expected in a few weeks
- Grateful for our church musicians and music directors
- Gratitude for young persons who will be confirmed on Sunday
- Couple is celebrating a major employment promotion
- Gratitude that a family member has agreed to help with caregiving
- Family thankful that daughter is home after many months in rehab
- Thanksgiving: work of the Holy Spirit throughout a memorial service
- A father celebrates his daughter’s graduation from college
- Ukrainians suffering grave losses; for an end to the violence
- Lift up member having hip surgery on Thursday, April 21
- Prayers for husband with Parkinson’s – increasing difficulties
- A father with Parkinson’s and his family; for a workable treatment plan
- Please pray for two families, both awaiting home closings
- Healing for a professional singer with a voice malady
- Remember a brother at Vanderbilt this week, bladder cancer
- Continued prayers for member continuing to struggle with pneumonia
- Solace for nieces grieving their mother’s untimely death
- Please pray for a member with debilitating eye disease
- Healing of one’s severe depression and anxiety
- Correct diagnosis for mother with heart condition
- Healing young granddaughter having seizures
- Dear sister recovering from massive strokes, for improvement
- Young man seeking work in college athletics
- New treatment plan for one at Vanderbilt for consultation
- Please pray for one having a 2nd employment interview on April 25
- An uncle in hospice care & his family standing by
- Peace for two overwhelmed with responsibilities
- Healing of cousin in ICU, that his kidneys and heart may heal
- Prayers for anxious couple awaiting news of pregnancy
- Young wife with cancer, that recent treatment may help her recover
- An ill mother-in-law and concerned family, for recovery
- Safe travel for member returning from NYC; safety for member in Ireland
- Healing for a nephew in radiation treatment
- Relative in treatment for ovarian cancer; longtime friend with cancer
- Prayers for a mother beginning proton therapy for a malignancy
- Adult son suffering a shoulder injury
It is true, O Sacred One, that we remain unsure of ourselves, too often afraid to stretch out our hand to clasp your own. Make firm our trust, we pray, so that we may become true Easter people, willingly releasing everything that hinders our walk with you, even our very lives. Remind us, in whatever way you will, that what has been lost, you will reclaim; what has been harmed, you will remake; and all that is unwell, you will restore. These prayers we lift up the name of the Resurrected One, whose love was and is too deep for words:
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.
