Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family
Week of September 27, 2023
Rev. Catherine Nance*
A portion of today’s prayer was written by Bishop Ken Carter, UMC.
As we prepare for Blessing of the Animals Sunday …..
O God, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen: You place us in your creation, and you command us to care for it. As we look forward to Sunday and the blessing of the animals, we are mindful that they are your creatures – not ours – that we are to care for them.
In your great mercy you call us to care for all of creation,
to uphold one another, and to pray for your world.
Hear our prayers for the healing of the earth.
Your works declare glory and splendor, and you call us to praise and reverence.
Where we have degraded or destroyed earth’s bounty, forgive us.
Where we have taken beauty and majesty for granted, have mercy upon us.
Where we have become estranged from the creatures with whom we share this planet, have mercy upon us.
Renew us in the waters of baptism, refresh us with the winds of your spirit, and sustain us with the bread of life.
You have created us to be in community and so we offer prayers for those in our families, our neighborhoods, and circles of friends. For those who are struggling may they know your peace; for those who are sick, may they know your healing. As we pray for those near and dear to us, we know it is you desire for our circles to grow wider, to embrace others. As we reach for those we know so well, may our arms embrace those we would call stranger. Your Spirit transforms us into neighbors and friends.
With confidence that you hear our prayers, we offer ourselves for your good purposes,
watching and waiting for the healing of your creation as we work toward your coming reign.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior who taught us to pray saying, 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.
We offer prayers for …..
- Those who are learning to live with new medications and adjustments to lifestyle and health
- A father and husband awaiting heart surgery; thanksgivings for skilled surgeon and good plan forward!
- A neighbor in the hospital; thankful for all of the good medical care
- One who is choosing to live well in the midst of cancer
- A mother in the hospital
- A member who is making decisions about long-term care
- Those who are grieving loss of spouse and who are feeling lost
- Continued healing for a husband who is home from hospital
- A brother who had pacemaker
- A family grieving the loss of beloved aunt
- Families making decisions about hospice and palliative care and next steps
- A couple who desperately wants to have a baby and, so far, has been unable to conceive
- A daughter at Children’s Hospital who has sepsis
- For a child who is struggling at school; prayers for parents as they discern how to intervene (or not)
- Peace and an end to violence in Ukraine.
We offer prayers of thanksgiving for ….
- Medical screenings that provide good reports and for those that provide clear answers for next steps
- That radiation treatments for a father are manageable; close to daughter’s home. PET scan clear! Thankful for the feeling of relief!
- Those who are preparing for wedding ceremonies but also for the lifelong commitment
- For the volunteers at Ladies Lunch & Learn and the wonderful fellowship
- For Pastor Walter’s sermon last Sunday. Thankful for his ABILITY!
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.
