Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of February 7, 2024
Written by Rev. Tim Best
Gracious Lord,
In the midst of sunshine and warmth we praise you for a break in the cold of winter. After so much snow and ice it feels like a break. Perhaps some of us have been able to wander outside in the warmth and feel our hearts and spirits renewed by the heat of the sunlight. Yet, we are mindful that there are still burdens that chill our hearts and weigh us down. Give light to those who dwell in the darkness and warmth to those who have found the coldness of the world especially biting.
We pray for our neighbors that are alone. Make this church a community that loves and serves our neighbors and creates a genuine and welcoming family. Where the forces of division and loneliness seek to erode dignity and belonging, empower us to respond with compassion and embrace one another just as you have embraced us. May those who do not know your love and the friendship of others find in us friendship and care.
As we prepare for children’s Sunday in worship, we do offer thanks for the children in our community. We are thankful for their humor, their wonder, their insights, and the ways the force us to think about what we say and do. We give thanks for those who taught us as children, and we as that you would guide us to care for the children in our community, and help them know your love for themselves. Where there are children in need help us to respond, and where we have gifts that can enrich the lives and faith of our children help us to use them.
Just as you refresh the earth through the various seasons, refresh our hearts and souls. Receive the burdens that we carry in our hearts as persons and as a community. To hose who grieve, grant your comfort, help those who are sick, and be with those who are in any kind of trouble. We share with you and with one another these concern of our community….
We pray for ….
- A daughter and son-in-law; prayers for peace during the last weeks of pregnancy. One of the twins will not live past delivery for very long. Heartbreaking – but joyful that the other is healthy. Prayers for both babies who are already so loved. Prayers for parents and grandparents as they travel this fragile road of love. Thankful for the eternal presence of God’s Love.
- All who are wanting to have children and have not been able to; for all who are wanting to adopt and experiencing financial barriers; for all who are struggling with complex decisions..
- A family who is asking God’s guidance in making the best decision about a loved one’s healthcare
- A husband who continues to deal with cancer and the ups and downs of that journey
- A husband and children who are grieving the death of their wife/mother. Prayers for extended family who are far away.
- Our youth and young adults who are under so much pressure
- Our Confirmation Class after their retreat this past weekend; may there be strengthened commitment
- A mother who is home after rehab; prayers for strength as Physical Therapy continues.
- A husband grieving the death of his beloved wife
- A family who has asked for prayer as they prepare to move to India
- Children who have been in hospital; thankful for antibiotics and for caring doctors and nurses at ETCH!
We give thanks for ….
- The availability of health care options
- Doctors and nurses who truly see their jobs as a calling
- The love and support of church family
- Good report from doctor
- Extended family who is there when we need help
We continue to pray for ……
- Caregivers who feel they are alone.
- Grandparents who are dealing with health concerns
- A husband who is home recuperating after hospitalization; prayers for physical strength
- A member who has brain tumor; may she feel God’s comfort and healing presence
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.
