Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of October 19, 2022
Rev. Catherine Nance
When we do not know how to pray as we ought, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words … (Romans 8:26)
O God, you know that oftentimes when we bow our heads and close our eyes, we have difficulty coming up with words. We think of your Holy Spirit sighing on our behalf, but we hear an exasperated sigh. A sign of weariness or disappointment is what we imagine. Is that not just like us, O Loving Spirit, to assume you are already displeased with our prayers before we begin.
Why do we judge ourselves so harshly? Forgive us! The verse is couched in other verses saying that nothing can separate us from your Love! O God may we start over. When we do not know how to pray or when we do not have the words or even know what we want to say, may be hear the gentle sigh of your Spirit praying for us.
May we imagine the peaceful sigh of a parent holding a child who has finally gone to sleep; the child finally giving in to rest and trusting the arms that hold him.
May we imagine the sigh of an artist who takes a step back from her work to get a better look and sees beauty yet to be revealed; a sigh of possibilities and hope.
O God, could we imagine the sigh of a student who lays the pencil down in relief; he knew all the answers!
Can we hear the sigh of a grandmother who has just finished canning all those beans; wiping her brow and untying her apron? Her sign is one of fulfillment and satisfaction knowing that her family has delicious food for the winter ahead.
O Breath of God, as we close our eyes to pray our own prayer, may we feel your presence in an encouraging way. May we know that we do not have to have the words, but that your Spirit moves in and out and around and through, connecting us to You, pleased that we are longing to be with you. May that enough as we bow our heads, close our eyes, and breathe ….
Breathe on me Breath of God; fill me with life anew…
Breathe on me Breath of God; fill me with life anew…
We offer these petitions on behalf of our church family …..
We pray for ….
- A member to find new job opportunities ….
- Parents of adult children who are dealing with mental health illness
- Greater understanding and less stigma surrounding mental illness.
- Church member injured in bicycle accident; prayers for smooth healing of body and spirit!
- Folks who are interviewing for jobs and those who are doing the interviewing
- The people of Ukraine
- A sister who is moving from an assisted living facility to skilled care …
- Spouses and adult children making decisions about long-term care and short term solutions in health situations
- Those who are dealing with various forms of dementia and grappling with reality of diagnosis
- A family burying their father and husband this afternoon
- Friends and family who have the flu; may we all be safe and well!
- Friends who need encouragement and strength in difficult situations
- A mother who is in rehab for PT and now has Covid
We offer prayers of thanksgiving for ….
- New members who have joined our church
- Birth of a new granddaughter
- Physical Therapy that is helping a member regain strength and ability
- Flu vaccinations and boosters that are available
- A young couple engaged to be married
- A member who has gone home from many months of hospitalizations and rehab; so thankful to be home to see beautiful fall colors out or her own window!
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.
