Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of January 3, 2024
Rev. Catherine Nance
O God of The New Year, we thank you for the gift of new beginnings and looking forward.
O God of The Every Day, we thank you that you are with us each day and in the ordinary moments.
O God of The New Year, we look to you as we set goals and make promises about our discipleship.
O God of The Every Day, we thank you that you forgive us, love us, and encourage us when we fall short of what we had planned.
O God of The New Year, help us to see how you have always been with us. Open our eyes and heart to know that you are the one who will guide us. Forgive us for making goals and resolutions without first listening to your Spirit.
O God of The Every Day, thank you for being with us in our routines and bringing meaning to the rhythms of our everyday living. May we resolve to live each day being fully aware of your presence.
O God of The New Year, we thank you for the glorious Advent and Christmas seasons that have brought such joy and inspire us to do more for you, give more of ourselves, and love more deeply in our relationships.
O God of The Every Day, humble our prideful selves. Remind us that is it through you that we achieve anything good, not because of our efforts.
We have entered a new year. Today is the third day of the new year, the tenth day of Christmas, and it is the day we have with you now. And so, we offer a prayer of surrendering to you. Thank you for John Wesley and his reworking of an ages-old prayer that we can offer this day and any day to you.
Let us pray together …
*I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.
*WESLEYAN COVENANT RENEWAL PRAYER
John Wesley adapted this prayer from the Puritan tradition that was so important to his parents, Samuel and Susannah, and life in the Epworth rectory. It informed his theology and preaching. He expected the people called “Methodists” to pray this prayer at the beginning of each new year as a way of remembering and renewing their baptismal covenant. (copied from UMCDiscipleship.org)
Listed below are prayer concerns shared by our church community …..
We pray for …
- A member’s mother who fell; fractured humerus; prayers for healing and strength
- One who is still continuing to look for a job; prayers for healing of spirit
- An adult child studying in Rome
- A welcoming congregation for so many who are looking for refuge
- A couple who is awaiting news from embryo transfer; Lord, in your mercy …
- An individual who requests prayers for many concerns including depression and sleep disorder; prayers for peace and healing in body and family.
- A member who was recently diagnosed with brain tumor; home now; thankful for husband who is wonderful caregiver
- A member in rehab after surgery
- A member in rehab after brain surgery and treatments
- Adult children who have to make hard decisions about long-term care for parents
- Couples who are wanting so desperately to have children;
- Peace in our world; Lord, we are worried about the Middle East! May we trust in your peace!
- A daughter and son and their families grieving the death of their father
We offer prayers of thanksgiving for …
- A new grandson!
- A new baby boy!
- A husband who is starting a new job tomorrow
- Friends I can lean on
We continue to pray for ….
- Those who are caregivers for loved ones
- One who is looking for new employment
- Healthy pregnancies
- Strength and healing for those who have recently had hospitalizations
