Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of July 5, 2023
Rev. Catherine Nance
You know us so well, O God. It is tempting to jump down to the prayer concerns—not stopping to pray. We want to see the concerns. We ask, “Is it anyone I know? Is my request listed there?’
We are thankful for the opportunity and gift of intercessory prayer, but make us mindful first of the posture of prayer before we focus on the details of the Who and the What. Make us pause to remember that prayer is your gift to us. Help us to stop, be quiet, and acknowledge your presence and your grace in our lives. We open ourselves to you, O God, before we make the lists of things we need or want to do in response to these concerns. Help us to feel the nurturing you offer us as we wait to formalize tasks.
We are amazed at your omniscience – that you know what is on our heart and on the hearts and minds of everyone. How do you hear all those prayers? There we go again! We want to figure out how prayer ‘works,’ instead of simply basking in your presence. How does it work, O God? We pray for individuals who are near and dear to us and we know all about their struggles. We pray for people we do not know – a name on a prayer list, a friend of a colleague. They say our prayers make a difference. We pray for ’your world’ and mention mass shootings and Ukraine. Do they make a difference, O God?
Forgive us when we see prayer as a means to an end – a process to a result. We know that prayer can make a difference. We pray that the difference will be in us O God. We pray that in taking this time to be open to your Spirit, to make room for your breath in our being, that we will be transformed.
So now, we take the list below, O God, and place them in your heart, knowing that they are already there! Somehow, our heart is opened as we reach towards yours. Is that how prayer works, O God?
Forgive us – love us – grant us your grace –
Thank you for the transformation that praying for one another can bring.
We pray for ….
- A wife recovering from brain surgery and preparing for treatments
- A man looking for a partner in life; someone to share his commitment to growing in relationship with Christ
- A friend who is suffering after a stroke and dealing with many physical and mental problems
- Holston Conference clergy with new church appointments beginning this week; we pray for churches who are receiving new pastors.
- A mother waiting on test results; prayers for her and her family that they not be anxious
- A member with lung cancer; recovering from surgery to remove brain tumor. Now awaiting treatment. Be with him in his waiting. May he feel your strength.
- Two family members who are going through a difficult disagreement; may they find their way back to peace.
- A wife/mother who begins dialysis today after much trauma to her body; may she feel the presence of prayers around her
We give thanks for …..
- A neighbor’s successful surgery – double lung transplant! Doctors said it went well and they can see significant improvements in her heart! So thankful!
- The support Stephen Ministers give
- Volunteers who work with our youth as they prepare for MAD
- A beautiful wedding! Friends and family being able to gather to celebrate!
We continue to pray for ….
- A young father healing at home after surgery and chemotherapy
- A couple awaiting birth in midst of high-risk pregnancy; may they feel God’s peace
- Couples who want to be parents … waiting on IVF procedures … waiting ….
- Those who are in rehab; thankful for the therapy that is offered but missing being at home
- Those who are grieving
- A man struggling with severe depression; may he find peace. Prayers for his family who are at a loss!
- A young adult whose father died unexpectedly.
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.
