Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of March 27, 2024
Written by Rev. Tim Best
Holy God,
During this Holy Week we seek your strength and your compassion. In each of the stories that we encounter about this week of your ministry which culminates in your passion and death, we see that when our love, our understanding, our patience, and our courage fails, you remain steadfast. As we read and remember the stories of your journey to the cross, open our hearts that we might be renewed in our discipleship. As our lenten journey comes to an end, prepare us to proclaim the hope and mystery of our faith after Easter.
As you taught in the temple, and prophetically challenged the powers of your day, challenge in us our love for the way things are. Where we have used talk of you to benefit ourselves and those close to us, lead us to repent. Help us to remain steadfastly committed to you, that we would abandon the appearance of devotion for the sincere commitment to you and the path you set before us. Make us mindful of those in our midst who suffer and are vulnerable. We pray for those whom we have ignored, those whose suffering has benefitted us, and those who have yearned to know your love, but have not found in us compassionate friends. Guide us that we may see the suffering of others and respond with the mercy and grace you have shown to us.
As you greeted those who arrived to arrest you with peace, help us to face our enemies with confidence in your kingdom and a resolve to greet force and violence with patience and trust in the final triumph of your kingdom. We pray for those who suffer from violence. We pray for all peoples afflicted by war. We pray for the ongoing war in Ukraine. We pray for Israel, for Gaza, for all those who are suffering. As your disciples we know that your desire is for all creation to be gathered into a peaceful and even joyful existence under the Lordship of Christ. Help us to treat our enemies as Christ treated those who saw him as an enemy. Soften hard hearts and direct the powerful so that your peace may reign.
Through your own suffering on the cross you teach us that we might cry out to you in our own trials. Deepen our faith that we might be so bold to name our suffering before you and before the world. We praise you that we are not required to hide our pain and suffering. We pray for those who are suffering. Our hearts are broken as we continue to learn details of the tragic bridge collapse in Maryland. In such moments we feel limited by words and our inability to undo such suffering. Hear us when we pray and hold those who suffer in your care.
As we come to the end of another day in this Holy Week, grant us peace and rest this night. Take from us the burdens of the day, and help us to recognize the simple mercies we have experienced throughout this day. Where we have failed to fully obey you today, help us tomorrow. In humble trust we offer all the cares of our hearts to you, including these joys and concerns of our church family….
We pray for ….
- The city of Baltimore and all those affected by the bridge collapse. Praying especially for the families of the six workers. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer!
- A sister who is going through divorce mediation; may all be calm and respectful.
- A member’s nine grandchildren; may they know th ey are all loved by God and family.
- One who is having trouble sleeping while looking for work; pray that someone would call for an interview!
- Praying for family and friends who are going through difficult times; God knows the need.
- Family and friends who are grieving the death of a special lady who taught us all about perseverance, hope, and trust in God.
- A mother who has been hospitalized at Vanderbilt; thankful doctors are able to bring her relief
- A colleague who is having health concerns; may she make good decisions
- One who is waiting to hear results from MRI
- Those who are prisoners of human trafficking
- Family in Indonesia
- A husband who has broken nose and and cannot sleep well
- A family having to make decision about putting their mother in nursing home. Prayers for this 88-year old.
- A cousin’s wife who has advanced kidney cancer; she begins treatments soon. Please pray for healing and peace.
- The husband of a close friend whose throat cancer has returned. Prayers for him and for his wife who is caregiver.
We give thanks for ….
- A daughter who has found a wonderful full-time job after years of being stay-at-home mom!
- The beautiful musical offering on Sunday night, St. John’s Passion
- For all the people who read these prayer requests and offer their time to pray.
We continue to pray for ….
- A grandson who is healing from surgery on tibia and fibula
- Those who have had surgery
- One who is recuperating from leg surgery; praying that pain will be gone.
We offer our prayers in the name of Jesus, our Lord, who taught us to pray, saying:
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.
