Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of December 8, 2021
Rev. Jan Buxton Wade
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled,
and do not let them be afraid.
(John 14:27)
We await your coming, O Promised One, for you arrive with the spirit of wisdom and understanding, extending your counsel and peace. We, your wandering children, long for these qualities; yet today we especially seek your holy peace, O God of Calm. Despite your gracious bounty and mercy, our hearts remain restless this time of year. Those ancient threats of wars and rumors of war still color our era. The destitute, who have long waited for reprieve, remain in want. Evil and anger walk our streets, ready to pounce upon innocents who dare to voice differing views. Our youth are too often estranged from family, church, and community, living in danger within the boundaries of their neighborhoods and schools. We travel an uneasy road, O Lord; therefore, we still rely on the word of the prophet who shares the good news that, even today, every mountain and hill will be made low and the rough places will become a plain.
O God of Promise, come to us with your peace.
In our yearning, we indeed realize many of our present troubles are of our own making. As we linger here for you, could it be that you are also waiting — waiting for us to set things right? Surely you long for us to repent of our selfish ways, and to earnestly become part of that transformation we so desire. We confess that we have been reticent to become involved when our efforts could make a real difference. There are persons we have refused to love, harmful habits we have not bothered to alter, and doorways we have neglected to open. Courage lies at the heart of peace-keeping, so give us resolve and boldness through the power of your Spirit, we pray, to will and to work for the good of your kingdom. Forgive our reticence, Good Lord, and fortify our efforts that they may be those that prepare the way of the Lord!
O God of Promise, may we strive for your peace.
We remember, Abiding One, when Jesus offered his words of solace to his disciples, it was in a time of tremendous turmoil. Though he knew his own death was imminent, he spoke of that lasting peace that he himself embodied. Help us to know that the charge before us is to work in our temporal realm; yet may we also take hold of that most sacred gift of a lifetime: that unflappable peace of Christ. Set us on that path this season, we pray.
O God of Promise, we yearn for your abiding peace.
The storms of life have overwhelmed so many, O Lord, and raging winds have broken even the strongest among us. May the words of Christ the Comforter resound in the spirits of those who are lonely, confused, ill, grieving, and dying: “Peace be still!” Soothe the souls of those who are frightened in every corner, we pray, and bring your light of hope to each darkened corner. And receive also these earnest prayers of petition and praise brought to you by your people at Church Street:
- Gratitude for prayers: Sister’s cancer scans negative
- Thankful that a mother’s dangerous infection has cleared
- Joy shared during the Advent Crafts Festival
- Grateful for generosity – many gifts delivered to Beacon of Hope families
- Thanksgiving: Ongoing mission work of the UMW
- All who are contributing to the Stewardship Campaign
- Gratitude: Meaningful Spiritual Life Advance Retreat for 70 youth
- Thankful: A stroke victim is much improved
- Prayers for safe delivery of first grandchild today
- Prayers for church couple recovering from Covid
- Young man suffering from PTSD, healing prayers please
- Solace for members grieving recent death of a brother
- God’s healing presence with members ill at home
- Relieving anxiety of daughter, estranged from her ill mother
- For doors of employment to open for a talented professional man
- Patience and healing for mother following colon surgery
- Beloved husband undergoing chemotherapy
- Church families grieving during the holidays
- Member enduring physical and emotional trials
- Healing of a family’s broken relationship
- Wisdom and strength for young mother enduring a painful separation
- Solace and strength for one – end of long-term relationship
- God’s guidance and healing for a mother with cancer diagnosis
- Continued strength for four members in cancer treatment
- Four members struggling with harsh effects of Parkinson’s
- Healing prayers for adult daughter suffering dire illness
How blessed we are by the Prince of Peace! In the midst of our flaws, our misunderstandings, and our distress, he offers us that unshakable promise that we are never alone. His hand is outstretched, as it was for his disciples so long ago, and he shares that peace that will never let us go. In the name of the One Who Was, Who Is, and Who Is To Come, we make our prayer:
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.
