Weekly Prayer – May 21, 2025

Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of May 21, 2025

Steve Richardson

God in heaven and in our midst, thank you for your abundant blessings; and for moments like now to focus our minds on you and on the needs of others. 

Sometimes we come to you humbly. Other times we come in earnest demand. In either case, we long for your help, direction and even your divine intervention to address troubles we face. Regardless of our prayerful tone, you remain steadfast in welcoming us in communion with you. Lord of grace and compassion, we are grateful that you hear our prayers in whatever ways we present them. 

God, sometimes we hurt. We hurt from illness, from injuries, from mental pain and anguish, from broken hearts. You’ve endured hurts like these, too, as the Triune God through Jesus. Gracious creator of comfort and peace, embrace us with your loving arms of spiritual relief. And point us to pathways and sources of people, technologies and services that can help alleviate hurt.      

God, sometimes we are joyful. We’re joyful because of situations that bring us happiness, that uplift us, that ignite our spirits and emotions, that spark spontaneous laughter. As our God of blessings, you know joy, too. From the earliest moments of your creation, you’ve invited us to be in joyful relationship with you and with one another. Thank you for the joys that help shape our lives. 

God, sometimes we feel sad. We’re sad because of grief, because of loss, because of loneliness, because of fractured relationships, because of feeling rejected or left out, because of not being heard or noticed. God, again through Jesus, you’ve experienced many forms of sadness. Help us continually remember that “though we walk through the darkest valleys…you are with us…(and) goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives.” Restore our souls, Lord, our Shepherd during our moments of sorrow. 

God, sometimes we feel optimistic. We’re optimistic when making smart choices, when experiencing good outcomes, when achieving personal goals. You, too, surely have known optimism, even from the very beginning when you declared all of creation as “good.” As our God who granted us freewill to pursue our own choices, help us seek and attain goals and actions that delight you and enhance your kingdom on Earth, especially acts of justice, empathy, caring, generosity and forgiveness.   

God, sometimes (actually, much of the time) we experience mixtures of ever-changing feelings like these and others. Frequently, we find ourselves needing to respond to many different pressures and forces – – some welcomed, some not wanted – – all at the same time. We look for lifelines of help. Which is why we’re grateful for the companionship of family, trusted friends and people in your church community. Thank you for Christian love and connections. 

God of Grace, we pray for relief for neighbors throughout our region whose lives have been undeservedly turned upside down by damaging storms. And hear these prayers of others in our congregation. Hold close all represented here with your loving presence and comfort. 

We pray for…

• A cousin in Alabama, age 17, awaiting heart transplant. Prayers for his mother.
• A 94-year old neighbor, who is nearing death; a faithful Christian but is apprehensive about the days to come.
• A mom who is dealing with migraines and also struggling with insurance company; prayers that prescriptions will be approved so she can be with her family the way she wants to be.
• A member who is hoping for the right medication for blood cancer that her body can tolerate. Also prayers for a doctor who will work with Medicare!
• A family in the death of their mother, grandmother who died in her sleep. May they be comforted by God’s presence and her example of faithfulness.
• Those who are grieving the death of their mother and friend after a long illness; thankful she rests in God’s eternal light.
• Those who are continuing in rehab; may they feel God’s strength working in them.
• A father who is recovering from heart surgery.
• Children and youth for whom summer vacation is not a break but a time of uncertainty.

We continue to pray for…

• Members and friends who are in hospitals; prayers for doctors, nurses, therapists, and case managers who work together for good plans moving forward.
• A member who has moved into a new skilled nursing care facility after being in the same place for so many years. May it be a good transition.
• A wife who is looking for a job that is fulfilling and where she can use her gifts.
• A church family in the death of a young-adult nephew from an accident; prayers for grandparents and all extended family.
• Those navigating all the decisions when dealing with chronic illness of parents; especially Alzheimer’s.

We give thanks for….

• Successful surgery to repair heart valve
• Children who are looking forward to summer!

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.

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