Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of November 10, 2021
Rev. Jan Buxton Wade
And what do you have that you did not receive?
And if also you did receive it, why do you boast
as not having received it? (I Cor. 4:7)
Ah, the apostle has rightly spoken – for what have we acquired that did not come to us from Divine beneficence? What do we possess that was not provided by the hands and sacrifice of others? Forgive us, Lord, for our narrow thinking and for our failure to respond fully to your grace. We confess we have withheld that which is rightly yours, spending mainly to satisfy our own limited interests. We have withheld even ourselves, ignoring your continued offer of fullness of life through Christ. We know we can do better; by your grace, may it be so.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Enduring Cornerstone, remind us that we are the living stones which form your Church. We are bound together by your very self, who gave your all that we might live. Your gifts cascade so freely we are prone to forget they come with responsibility. Chip away our rough and selfish edges, we pray, that we might fit more tightly together, adding strength and shape to your holy edifice of benevolence. We would be known as believers with open hands and open lives, willing to sacrifice so that the nameless and forgotten ones are drawn into your fortress of love.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Nearest Friend, this week we pray for our friends and neighbors, near and far. Comfort and deliver especially all who are living with grave losses, those who live in the throes of poverty and need, others who are oppressed by violence, and those who flee war and devastation in their homelands. Guide us and all in power to work for the common good. As scripture has taught: those whom much is given, much is required.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of the Circling Years, your faithfulness spans generations, and your mercy never fails to astound us. In Jesus, you walked where we walk, shared the burdens of life, were touched by the same joys, temptations, and sorrows as we. We need hide nothing from you, for you are aware of our longings, our pain, our hopes, and our fears. Therefore, we turn again to you on bended knee, acknowledging you as our Source of all healing and wholeness.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Aware that you accept every prayer uttered in earnest, we lay before you these that come from the hearts of your people at Church Street. In your mercy, accept the praise of those who bring thanksgiving and touch the souls of those who are bruised and afflicted:
- Grateful that ill husband now safely placed in rehab facility
- Prayers appreciated: Grandson is managing chemo well
- Gratitude for prayers: Weekend wedding was perfect
- Member in rehab making steady progress
- Thanksgiving: Heart surgery deemed successful
- Thanks for prayers – badly bruised hand is healing
- Praises! Family welcomes newborn baby after 3 miscarriages
- Pray that one will be approved for an apartment
- Prayers: Young daughter undergoing surgery Monday and her family
- Granddaughter in D.C. having hip replacement Monday
- Prayers that recent back procedure will prove effective
- Healing for one recovering from delicate surgery at Vanderbilt today
- Courage and strength for family grieving death of young son
- Son-in-law grieving the deaths of family members due to Covid
- Solace for member coping with anxiety
- Strength for couple giving care to ill parents
- Wisdom for a young son contemplating dropping out of school
- Sustaining member in extended cancer treatment
- Dear friend (advancing ALS) – guidance in finding residential care
- Healing prayers for daughter hospitalized with sepsis
- Healing for two members enduring immense back pain
- Strength, courage for husband with Parkinson’s
In addition to these, O Lord, we ask that you would gift us with wisdom and patience as we strive for that peace which passes all understanding. And now, as you are the God of All Good Gifts, release in us the spirit of new life – that life which is in full relationship with you and your Blessed Son who taught us to pray in this way:
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.
