Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of October 25, 2023
Rev. Tim Best
O God over all creation,
We give you thanks for the mercies of this day. As we come to the end of the day we look back with gratitude. For the bright and happy moments today, we praise you and give you thanks. For those who have had days of great joy and blessing, we give you thanks.
Thankfulness doesn’t come easily when we have a bad day, or find ourselves in deep sadness or grief. Give us eyes to see your steadfast presence, the mercies you have provided even those who have struggled or suffered today. The Psalmist extolls your majesty and the ways you have crafted and even now sustain all creation. Make us mindful that not only do we set our eyes upon your handiwork when we gaze upon the world, but that we are your beloved creatures.
We are thankful, O God, because we know that when we are burdened and suffering we can offer up to you the whisperings of our hearts. As we join together in prayer this evening, we ask for your mercy to embrace all those who suffer, those who are ill, and those in any sort of trouble. Grant them your peace and enfold them with your grace.
We are particularly mindful for the sufferings of all those who know war and violence today. We pray for the conflict in Israel and Gaza. We pray for Ukraine, and we pray for all those places whose names we do not know, but where violence and death are at work. We pray for our enemies. We pray for all those who sit in authority over the nations. Speak to and guide them so that your will may be done in the world. Make us ambassadors of your peace in our daily living that we might witness to the peace and justice of your kingdom.
O God, your steadfast love does endure forever. Awaken in each of us an awareness to your steadfastness of love and grace. Shape our lives that we might be filled with the joy of being disciples of Jesus Christ. Where fail, correct us. When we miss the mark, bring us closer to you. When our own pride gets in the way of faithful obedience, mercifully guide us to repentance and renewal. With overflowing thankfulness and trust in your steadfast love, we offer these concerns to you now:
We pray for …
- A mother who will probably be starting dialysis soon
- Doctors who are running scans and scopes on a member, hoping to find answers as to what is happening post-cancer treatments.
- A couple traveling to Alabama for funeral for a cousin; praying for the one who will officiate. Prayers of thanksgiving (and safe travels) as they go to KY for a wedding. Prayers for family gatherings and all the emotions they bring!
- Healing from cancer
- An aunt who is under hospice care due to lung cancer
- Parents who are hurting for their children and seeking guidance; prayers for children who are facing obstacles at school.
- Wife of a nephew; that medical diagnosis is accurate and can bring healing
- A sister who is looking for new caregiver for her brother-in-law; praying for release from stree
- Prayers for a colleague in the death of his friend
- A son who has been deployed to Middle East
- A son dealing with addiction issues
- A father as he prepares for back surgery
- One in the hospital out of town; prayers that he may come home soon
We give thanks for ….
- Friends and relatives who care for children when parents must be away
- Successful surgery for a grandmother
- Church members who reached out to help in a crisis situation
- All that we learned at Parish Health Ministry Team conference; thankful for a church who cares about what people are going through
- Precious memories
- Two members who have had heart surgery and are healing so well!
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, we pray that prayer that he taught us:
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.
