Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of October 4, 2023
Steve Richardson*
*Italicized excerpts are from “God of Grace and God of Glory,” hymn #577, written by Harry Emerson Fosdick
God of grace and God of glory … free our hearts to work and praise. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the living of these days.
Holy God, thank you for these moments to focus our minds on your unconditional love, blessings and guidance; and on awareness of needs of others.
We come to you humbly. You remain steadfast in welcoming and embracing us in our relationship with you. But we, in turn, haven’t reciprocated very well. We find it too easy to let distractions of our culture and society divert our attention from your calls to love and serve one another. Instead, we find ourselves drawn to other callings often rooted in self-interest. And then there are those times we simply shrug our shoulders and turn away in apathy. Forgive us, Lord. God of grace…shame our wanton, selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul. Grant us wisdom…lest we miss thy kingdom’s goal.
We mourn with victims of violence in our very community (as well as across the world). The ripples of anguish from such losses and the subsequent fears stretch far and wide. Cure thy children’s warring madness…Grant us wisdom – – wisdom of ways and acts of love which originate with you and that deliver us from evil.
We’re grateful to be a part of Church Street United Methodist Church. It’s easy in conversation to claim it as “our” church, but we truly know it is your church, God. (Thank you for sharing it with us!) As we think about the near- and longer-term future for Church Street, open our minds and hearts to be even more supportive of this community of grace with our gifts, our service and our prayers. Crown your ancient church’s story; bring her bud to glorious flower.
We pray with gratitude for our clergy and church staff, whose daily commitments to service foster a safe, welcoming and sacred space for worship, mission, learning and spiritual growth.
We pray with thankfulness, too, for all those who volunteer in your church’s missions and ministries. Their work extends your support and grace among people in our community and membership.
As they navigate unknown and uncertain seas of their daily living, buoy all caregivers and care receivers with your renewing resilience. And among people outside the throes of caregiving, inspire all to discover ways to support those who do this challenging work.
This upcoming week will be school systems’ “fall break” for many children, youth and their families in our area. We pray that these opportunities of families’ added time together with loved ones and friends will be meaningful, uplifting and spiritually enriching. We pray, too, for their safety and their physical and mental wellbeing.
God of grace and God of glory, on thy people pour thy power. Each and every day, God, help us sense and share your unconditional love. Through your granting of wisdom and courage, move us to respond with grace to others, just as you always do for us. And with faith in your omnipotence, we ask that you receive and respond to these important prayer requests from congregation members and neighbors:
We offer prayers for ….
- A 92-year old grandfather who fell and broke a rib; prayers for comfort and healing
- All of those in hospitals
- A mother who had surgery earlier in the week; prayers for healing
- A couple getting married this weekend
- A man dealing with grief after the death of his mother for whom he was the sole caregiver
- Families still waiting on repairs to be made to home and property after storm several weeks ago
- A wife in hospice care
- A husband waiting to go home from hospital
- A member transitioning from rehab to long-term skilled nursing care
- A friend having open heart surgery
- A son grieving after father’s death
- A wife who had surgery two weeks ago; prayers for continued healing.
- A member whose family has asked for prayers as doctors make adjustments and offer hope
- Those who are seeking recovery from addiction
- A member who is having major abdominal surgery soon; prayers for healing
- A young mother diagnosed with breast cancer; prayers for her and her family as they await further diagnostics and surgery
- A husband dealing with blood clots and new medications
- The family of the Knox County Sheriff’s deputy who was killed; for all involved
We offer prayers of thanksgiving for …..
- All the animals who came to be blessed last Sunday!
- Our clergy – active and retired – during this Pastor Appreciation Month and ALWAYS!!
- For my Sunday School Class who has expressed so much love.
- A member’s successful open heart surgery! Prayers of continued strength and healing! Prayers of thanksgiving for a supportive and loving family and community.
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.
