Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of August 14, 2024
Written by Steve Richardson
God in heaven and in our midst, we bring these prayers to you not only as a congregation, but individually as well. Humbly, we seek your acceptance and response.
Summer’s sun now sets a bit sooner than it did several weeks ago. Still, its warmth and radiance continue to offer us occasions to experience the wonders and splendors of your natural world. Your creation’s changing seasons, in so many ways, are blessings, with each one ushering new opportunities and new perspectives.
And speaking of changes, Lord, this has been a summer of many changes at Church Street. Thank you for the guidance from our clergy and for the added efforts and time dedicated by church staff as they help us all adapt. Thank you, too, for congregation members in roles of leadership who move us forward through their gifts of time and talents. Like the seasons, may these changes in the life of our church become blessings, with each one of these also ushering new opportunities and new perspectives.
You granted each of us freewill. What courage that must have taken to do that, knowing there will be times we choose to turn away from you! Too many times, choices we make turn out to be failures. What never fails us, though, is your love and acceptance. Forgive us for choices and decisions that separate us from you and that disrupt the building of your kingdom. Gracious God, for your mercy, we are grateful.
Compassionate Comforter, you surely know the pain and toils of grief, of brokenness, of health problems, of insecurity, of fear, of injustice, of disrespect, of loneliness, of negligence, of violent conflict between your people, of hatred, of prejudice, of economic uncertainties, and of the many, many other tribulations we encounter in our Earthly existence. Honestly, God, such circumstances sometimes lead us to question your presence and grace. In moments of doubt, sustain our faith. Through prayer, through scripture, through the kindness of others, and through support by your church community, refresh our tired spirits with your everlasting love and promises of hope.
Thank you for memories that bring smiles and joy. Thank you for anticipation of things to come that bring hopefulness. Thank you for moments such as these now that bring us in closer relationship with you.
Merciful God, hear these needs and prayers of others in our congregation. Surround each person represented here with your loving embrace and comfort…
We pray for …
- A 10-year old granddaughter who is having surgery for broken arm doing what she loves – gymnastics! Prayers for medical team and all the family.
- A member who had prayer last week; prayers for patience and she regains strength and healing.
- A young man involved in an automobile accident.
- A member who is consulting with pulmonologist after chest x-ray showed a spot. Prayers for clear diagnosis and a healing path forward.
- A young couple beginning fertility procedures to start their family.
- Those who have cancer.
- A friend who has COVID.
- A son and a daughter-in-law who are both looking for meaningful work.
- Friends and family members who are going through struggles and have asked for prayers.
- A great-aunt who is ill.
- A friend going through a divorce.
- A friend who is looking for a job.
- Families who are struggling with emotional pain as well as physical; especially those dealing with the ravages of addiction.
- Ninety-three year old aunt who is in hospital with complications from COVID.
We continue to pray for ….
- Grandchildren who are hurting because of divorce of parents. May the extended family be a source of healing and comfort.
- Couples who are wanting to start a family.
- All of the men and women in the military.
- Those who are caring for family members who have dementia.
- Members who have cancer and are going through the ups and downs of treatments.
- All those whose grief is compounded by suicide; may they know the assurance that loved ones are in God’s eternal peace and love.
- Our Staff-Parish Relations Committee as they see the right people for positions here. We are so thankful for their wisdom and good work.
We offer prayers of thanksgiving for ….
- A dear friend who after 28 years discovered another breast cancer, had a double mastectomy and the pathology report has come back that the surrounding tissue and the lymph nodes are free of cancer. She still needs an oncologist’s decision, but it appears that she will not need chemo or radiation. Praise God!
- The beauty of the Olympics! It was so refreshing to see people pulling for each other and athletes from competing countries encouraging one another. Prayers that we could keep that spirit forever!
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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