Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of December 27, 2023
Steve Richardson
God in heaven and in our midst, in your graciousness hear our prayers.
Here we are again, Lord. We’re in that “in between” time at the end of the year – – in between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. It’s an interval when we look back on experiences over the past few days while fixing our eyes on expectations when we encounter the first of the 366 days of 2024.
Of course you know, God, whatever the time of year, we’re always “in between.” That’s part of our reality. Some of the in betweens are brief, some are long. Some are expected, some are surprises. Some bring welcomed respite, others breed anxiety and stress. Some are good, some are not-so-good. Some are in our control, others are imposed on us haphazardly.
God, we’re grateful in knowing that through your grace and mercy, whatever our in betweens may be, you are always there with us.
One of your sacred Proverbs reminds us that if we acknowledge you in all our ways, you will direct our paths. Maybe adhering to this for all our in betweens is a wise resolution to live by in the coming year…and beyond.
The Advent and Christmas season inspired us to be generous, more loving, kinder and more charitable, especially to people in greater need of life’s necessities. Thank you for those opportunities to serve one another. But now, gracious Lord, even though Christmas is over, people who are without homes still have to endure the cold and dampness, people who lack food still hunger, people who are confined due to illness, disability or other causes of isolation still undergo loneliness; and so many other injustices persist throughout our community and world. So, God, as Kingdom people, instill in us the grace and impetus to continue to do what you require of us: to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with you.
Merciful God, as we seek for ourselves (and wish for others) prosperity in 2024, help us to recognize that true and enduring prosperity is not riches, possessions or “stuff,” rather prosperity is living our daily lives with the peace that surpasses all understanding – – the peace that only you can provide.
We pray, too, that such peace finds its way into the hearts, minds and actions of nations’ leaders around the Earth. Through your holy intervention, cure your children’s warring madness. Fulfill in our time the prophet’s foretelling of swords being beat into plowshares, spears into pruning hooks.
Lord, we earnestly pray that you hear and respond to these special needs and expressions of others in our church community. Surround each person with your loving presence and embrace…
We pray for …
- An individual who requests prayers for many concerns including depression and sleep disorder; prayers for peace and healing in body and family.
- An individual with epilepsy who is facing heart surgery.
- A member waiting on transfer to rehab facility for PT
- A member’s good health after being hospitalized over Christmas
- Those who are struggling with addiction and feel they have no hope
- Those who are grieving – especially those for whom this is the ‘first Christmas since …’
- A member who was recently diagnosed with brain tumor; home now; thankful for husband who is wonderful caregiver
We offer prayers of thanksgiving for …
- Beautiful services all day Sunday, December 24!
- Our custodial staff
- Successful surgery
- Church maintenance staff for preventing significant damage to the church from this week’s fire. Yet also your healing touch for all whose mental states of mind would lead them to attempt such harm to others.
We continue to pray for ….
- Those who are recovering after surgery
- Member healing from rotator cuff surgery
- Those who are caregivers for loved ones
- One who is looking for new employment
- Healthy pregnancies
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.
