Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of June 6, 2021
Written by Rev. Jan Buxton Wade
O Love Beyond Our Imagining, we pause these moments in midweek to remember and to praise you. As we reflect upon the mystery of our lives, we cannot apply reason to our existence – your transcendent grace presents the only answer. Our bodies in themselves are miracles not to be taken for granted. The love we receive from others, the way your Spirit works within us, the beauty of creation, the events that have led us to you, are all outside the bounds of our understanding. These are veiled mysteries that speak of your love, so teach us to move beyond the realm of what makes sense and to remain open to that love that permeates our past, our present, and our future. Breathe in us, O Breath of Life, as we breathe in you.
God of Tender Mercies, we carry heavy personal griefs this day: for those treasured souls who have died, for relationships that are damaged, for our brothers and sisters who are despondent and lonely, for those whose bodies and minds are failing, for those who are unemployed or underemployed. And underneath we also carry the collective grief of our world: the pain inflicted on persons of color, the indigenous children whose bodies are being unearthed in Canada, the murder and maiming caused by terrorist organizations, persecution of Christian, Jew, and Muslim at home and abroad, the unrest and instability within our own country. Lead us, we pray, to those rivers of healing, where your waters of mercy might soothe us and also cleanse our hearts of hatred, prejudice and retribution.
You have called us, Lord, to be a light in this city, but we confess that we have failed you in many ways. Forgive us for focusing on things that matter little and how we pass by opportunities that could make a world of difference in our community. Open us more fully into your mission, that your holy beam would shine through us, drawing all others into a closer communion with you.
As you have shown mercy to us throughout all our days, receive our thanksgivings; and also hear the cries of each one who offers personal prayers in your name:
Gratitudes:
- Miraculous healing of friend from electric shock
- Thankful for prayers: Hip pain is decreasing
- Prayers appreciated: One’s anemia vastly improved
- Opening of in-person Sunday School classes
- Cherished sister now home from the hospital
- One’s severe anemia is much improved
- Heart ailment identified and is being treated
- Celebration: Shoulder surgery deemed unnecessary
- Physical therapy alleviating pain
- Thanksgiving for a successful intestinal surgery
- A business owner thankful for an important contract
- Couple grateful for a long-awaited anniversary trip
- New pastor celebrates his upcoming appointment
- Family thankful a daughter is moving to Knoxville
- Gratitude for a son’s visit lengthy visit
Concerns:
- Healing within a family broken by addiction
- Young married couple seeking a stronger relationship
- Healing for husband with long-term Covid symptoms
- Beloved mother in heart failure
- Member suffering severe depression
- Alleviation of a member’s anxiety
- Healing for husband and wife recovering from surgeries
- Member awaiting radiation treatment
- Relief for those who grieve
- Prayers for family whose mother died this week
- Cherished husband who has moved to memory care unit
- Husband who is failing, strength for his wife, caregiver
- Strengthening of one dealing with long-term cancer
O God, Father of All Mercies, we kneel in awe when we recognize your movement within our lives. And may that recognition kindle in each of us renewed faith, renewed courage, and renewed resolve to live lives worthy of the love you gave us in Jesus. May we cling to your Son, that we may be among those who mount up with wings as eagles, who run and are not weary, who walk and do not faint:
