Weekly Prayer – 3/18/2025

Week of March 18, 2026

Rev. Amber Lloyd

___________________________

God Who Sees,

Our praises ring out like a chorus of carillon bells. You are faithful! You are just and good! You uphold us and sustain us, filling our hearts with joy and peace. We give thanks for your enduring presence in our lives and the shelter which your love provides for us in times of need.

We are four weeks into our Lenten journey as we follow your son to his cross. We confess that as the road leads deeper within ourselves, we are afraid of what we will find. We are afraid of what you will ask of us when we offer our darkness and our secrets to you. But Jesus, you are a gentle companion, a shepherd who guides us beside still waters. Because we have experienced your goodness, we will put our hope and trust in you.

We give thanks for the ways which you see us and know us. Like Hagar in the desert, you find us even in our wilderness and guide us to living water. See the weary hearts among us, O God, and the ones longing for justice and change. Turn your face toward those of us who are struggling to find work or pay the bills. Look upon those who are sick and those who are caring for the sick. Remember us, O God, and act on our behalf. Bring healing and wholeness, restoration and redemption. When we hide in the darkness, withholding our shame and fear from the light of your grace, search for us and find us, and bring us back to life.

Seeing God, in your mercy, look upon these persons:

We pray for ….

  • A loved one facing liver transplant
  • A loved one facing removal of kidney
  • A loved one with heart issues
  • A father whose daughter died suddenly leaving a husband and adult child behind
  • A sister who was on mission trip in Nicaragua and broke her arm; she is in a lot of pain! Hoping to get to a private hospital. Prayers for relief and healing; prayers for the whole team.
  • A daughter in charge of her father’s memorial service this weekend.

We continue to pray for …

  • A sister who has been diagnosed with vascular dementia. May she feel the love around her and may her daughters accept this. They just lost their father six months ago. Prayers for strength and calm.
  • A young mother was just diagnosed with breast cancer. Thankful for early diagnosis and prayers that she will be completely healed!
  • A family in the sudden death of their wife and mother.
  • A son whose mother lives in another country and is facing difficult health concerns; prayers for the family who is there with her.
  • Our military and their families.
  • Children who are living through the trauma of war.
  • A cousin awaiting kidney transplant.
  • Church members who are undergoing chemotherapy; may they feel God’s strength as their body fights cancer.
  • A member who has begun chemotherapy treatments; prayers for healing.
  • For a young couple with a child and expecting twins; prayers for good health.

We give thanks for ….

  • Positive news from oncologist about tumor shrinking! Praise the Lord!
  • Clear report from a heart catheterization today! Prayers that heart monitor report will have good news as well!

In the light of Christ, you invite us to see as you see, O God. May we see Christ in one another. Hear us as we pray together these words which your son taught us to pray:

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.

 

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Weekly Prayer – 3/11/2026

Week of March 11, 2026

Pastor Sam Dzobo

___________________________

“He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4)

Gracious and Almighty God, we come before you this day with grateful hearts, giving thanks for who you have made us to be at Church Street, disciples of Jesus, growing in our love for you and for our neighbors. Every time we gather in worship, we are reminded anew that we are your people, your salt of the earth, your light of the world.

We thank you for the hymns we lift together, hymns that carry the voices of the saints who have gone before us and join our voices with those yet to come. We thank you for the gift of our chancel choir and the beauty they offer in song. We thank you for your Word, which nourishes our souls every Sunday, and for the wisdom you pour out through our Sunday School classes and small groups, drawing us ever deeper into the life you have called us to live.

Lord, this past Sunday, you revealed a gracious gift to us. You are sending Rev. Jonathan Jonas to serve as our senior pastor. We lift him and his family before you now. Guide them as they prepare for this transition, surround them with your peace, and go before them in every detail of this new calling. Prepare our hearts and minds here at Church Street to receive him and his family with open arms, open spirits, and open doors. May the bond you are forming between pastor and congregation be one that bears much fruit for your kingdom.

We also give thanks for Rev. Carol Price-Guthrie, who will be joining our pastoral leadership to serve the work in East Knoxville. Bless her ministry, Lord. Grant her wisdom, courage, and endurance for the work you are setting before her.

O God, we turn now to a hurting and troubled world, and we confess that we hardly know where to begin. The violence in the Middle East, in Iran, and in Israel fills us with sorrow and with fear. Our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters in the military are involved, and the suffering of so many people weighs heavily upon us. We know that the consequences of this war reach far beyond the battlefield, touching lives and futures we cannot fully see.

In these moments, Lord, we find ourselves at a loss. We do not always know what we ought to pray for, or how we ought to pray. The groaning of the world is too deep for words. And so we lean upon the promise of your Spirit, who intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words, praying on our behalf even when we cannot find the language for our own longing.

We cling to your promise, O God, that you will judge between the nations and settle their disputes, that the day is coming when swords will be beaten into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks, when nations will no longer take up swords against nations, and the training for war will cease. We ask for that day, Lord. We ask for your shalom, not merely the absence of conflict, but the wholeness, the flourishing, and the deep peace that only you can bring.

Holy Spirit, teach us to pray. Intercede for us and for this broken world. Align our hearts with the heart of the Father. Move in the halls of power and in the hidden places of suffering alike. Let the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and minds, and let it flow through us into the world around us.

In the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we pray. Amen.

We pray for ….

  • A sister who has been diagnosed with vascular dementia. May she feel the love around her, and may her daughters accept this. They just lost their father six months ago. Prayers for strength and calm.
  • A young mother was just diagnosed with breast cancer. Thankful for early diagnosis and prayers that she will be completely healed!
  • Young adults who are single and feel the weight of being alone sometimes even though they are independent and happy in their life.
  • A family in the sudden death of their wife and mother.
  • Those who are traveling over spring break.
  • A young adult who is struggling with mental health concerns. Prayers for family to make good decisions together.
  • A son whose mother lives in another country and is facing difficult health concerns; prayers for the family who is there with her.

We continue to pray for …

  • Our military and their families.
  • Children who are living through the trauma of war.
  • A brother facing lung cancer.
  • A young man who began a month-long residential addiction rehab a few weeks ago. Prayers for strength and that he does not feel alone.
  • A cousin awaiting kidney transplant.
  • Church members who are undergoing chemotherapy, may they feel God’s strength as their body fights cancer.
  • One who is recovering from hip replacement surgery.
  • A member who has begun chemotherapy treatments; prayers for healing.
  • For a young couple with a child and expecting twins; prayers for good health.

We give thanks for ….

  • Springtime weather!
  • Caregivers who love unconditionally.
  • A good visit with family this past week.

And we offer the prayer that Christ taught us 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.

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Weekly Prayer – 03/04/2026

Week of March 4, 2026

Rev. Catherine Nance

___________________________ 

God of the universe, we desperately need to think of you and pray to you as God of the whole world tonight instead of just our own little world.

It is three o’clock on Wednesday in Knoxville as this prayer is written and prayed. It is already ten o’clock in Tel Aviv, Israel. It is half-past eleven o’clock in Tehran, Iran. Children will be getting out of school soon here in Knoxville and by the time this prayer is read, they will have had supper and may be getting ready for bed.

O God of other places, are the children in Tehran and Tel Aviv asleep? Have they been able to sleep through the night without nightmares or being startled awake? It will be morning soon for them. What will they find, O Lord?

O God who is with all soldiers, of all people, do they all think in military time? Do families know how to translate twenty-one hundred hours into what time it is at home? The hours must be longer, O God, when loved ones are far away.

O God of all people, please convict the leaders who are making decisions about how long a war will last mindful of the minutes and hours that families and soldiers must endure. Days and weeks are an eternity when a child is hungry or scared or missing their parent. It does not matter if that child is in Ukraine or Ecuador or Tehran.

Our hearts are heavy and frightened, O Prince of Peace. Please break into the hardness of hearts and dismantle the greed and quest for power. We are hearing that war is a means to peace, but you have shown another way, O God. Forgive our trust in violence and help us see other paths. Remind us of the peace you bring. We cannot help but imagine your heart is weighed down with anguish and grief as your children go to war … again.

On Wednesday evenings, we usually pray as a church family for those who are near and dear, and we do hold them in our hearts. But it seems that all those who are near and dear have heavy hearts as well. We have family and friends who are facing cancer, unemployment, grief, sickness, and depression. Our hearts are usually opened in prayer, but they feel so burdened with the violence that is escalating. Make room in our hearts O God for all these concerns. We know that through the power of your holy spirit that you can brighten the dark places in our hearts, make room for hope, and cause us to remember joy. Your world needs hearts that are open. Pour out your Holy Spirit on all of us who are praying together tonight, and fill our hearts with hope, love, and resolve to always work for peace. May our prayer be a healing balm.

We pray for those who are near and dear to us …

We pray for ….

  •  People who are caught in international travel issues; prayers for safe arrival home for students and those on mission trips.
  • Our military and their families.
  • Children who are living through the trauma of war.
  • A member who was just diagnosed with breast cancer; hopeful that it is early detection and very small. Meeting with surgeon Thursday; prayers for healing.
  • A family in the death of their wife and mother.
  • A member who was hospitalized; prayers for continued strength and health.

We continue to pray for …

  • Those who are having funerals this week.
  • A brother facing lung cancer.
  • A grandson as he faces a big opportunity; may he feel God’s peace regardless of the outcome.
  • A young man who began a month-long residential addiction rehab this week. Prayers for strength and that he does not feel alone.
  • Church members who are undergoing chemotherapy; may they feel God’s strength as their body fights cancer.
  • One who is recovering from hip replacement surgery.
  • A member who has begun chemotherapy treatments; prayers for healing.
  • For a young couple with a child and expecting twins; prayers for good health.

We give thanks for ….

  • A healthy granddaughter born this week!

And we offer the prayer that Christ taught us 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.

 

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Weekly Prayer – 02/25/2026

Week of February 25, 2026

Rev. Tim Best

___________________________ 

Gracious Maker of Heaven and Earth,

The one who shapes all that is, the seen and the unseen,

Open our eyes to your presence. Help us to believe, with our words and our actions, in Jesus Christ. We confess our faith regularly in worship, claiming that Christ is Lord, and that his kingdom will have no end. Help us to live as those people that trust that the dead will be raised, that when it appears there is no hope, Christ overcomes.

Hear the sighs of those who are tired. We think of those that are exhausted from work, from all the demands on time and energy, and from the all the complexities of life. Renew your people. Allow them to know your rest. With joy and promise, restore all who so often feel hollowed out and worn.

Grant your healing to all those who suffer and or know any infirmity. We pray for those going through treatments of any kind, those recovering from surgery, and those waiting upon hope.

Guide and direct our church family as we continue to seek to be your people called together in this place and at this time. May we be filled with your Holy Spirit to make disciples of Jesus Christ. We praise you for the opportunities to serve your people through the warming center. As warmer weather approaches keep before us the needs of all our neighbors. Lead us on this Lenten journey so that we might follow you more faithfully in word and deed.

In trust and hope we offer these concerns for our community:

We pray for ….

  • A family grieving the death of a mother.
  • A brother facing lung cancer.
  • All the homeless people and animals when it is so cold.
  • A grandson who has a huge opportunity before him—may he feel God’s peace regardless of the outcome.
  • A young man who began a month-long residential addiction rehab this week. Prayers for strength and that he does not feel alone.
  • Church members who are undergoing chemotherapy: may they feel God’s strength as their body fights cancer.
  • One who is having hip replacement surgery next week.
  • A member who has begun chemotherapy treatments; prayers for healing.

We continue to pray for …

  • A member who is having ongoing health issues, chronic illness. Situation compounded by lack of sick days. No pay when they are not able to come to work.
  • Friends who are going through a difficult time.
  • For one who is recovering after a fall, prayers for complete healing and that he can return to work.
  • For a young couple with a child and expecting twins, prayers for good health.
  • One who was injured in a motorcycle accident; at home now. Continued prayers for healing.
  • A man in his early 30’s who is experiencing painful headaches and a loss of partial vision after a stroke. Prayers for healing and patience.

We give thanks for ….

  • A nephew who is home after an extensive stay in rehab.

We take heart and seek your strength as we pray together the prayer your Son Jesus Christ has 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.

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Weekly Prayer – 2/18/2026

Week of February 18, 2026

Rev. Amber Lloyd

___________________________ 

Sundays palms are Wednesdays ashes as another Lent begins;

Thus we kneel before our Maker in contrition for our sins.

We have marred baptismal pledges, in rebellion gone astray;

Now returning, seek forgiveness; grant us pardon, God, this day.

TFWS #2138

Forgiving God,

This Wednesday we mark our foreheads with crosses of ashes. This gritty symbol is a sign of our repentance, a reminder of our mortality, and a signal that we desire to return to you. Where we have failed to be obedient, we ask that you would forgive us. When we have exalted ourselves, we ask that you remind us of these ashes. We are dust, and to dust we will return.

Jesus, before you began your earthly ministry, scripture says that the Holy Spirit drove you into the wilderness where you fasted for 40 long days. With only the wild animals to keep you company, what did you learn there? Your wilderness wandering must have prepared you for the coming years because you left that place to preach peace on a hillside, to minister to the poor and outcast, and to heal the sick. We are about to enter into our own 40 days of wilderness wandering and we ask that your Spirit would meet us there. Give us grace and strength for the journey ahead.

We give you thanks for the cyclical nature of our faith, when the palms we waved in worship last spring become the ashes of our penitence today. Our traditions teach us faithfulness, to trust that you are present with us even in these small ways. Accept our offering of ourselves, O Lord, as we allow these means of grace to mold us into the likeness of Christ.

We intercede on behalf of those in our congregation and community who need you today:

We pray for ….

  •  A member who is having ongoing health issues; chronic illness. Situation compounded by lack of sick days. No pay when they are not able to come to work.
  • Friends who are going through a difficult time.
  • God to help us show more love towards one another.
  • A member’s healing and rehab after knee replacement surgery on Monday.
  • One who has asked for complete healing from cancer
  • For one who is recovering after a fall; prayers for complete healing and that he can return to work
  • A member who has begun chemotherapy treatments; prayers for healing.
  • For a young couple with a child and expecting twins; prayers for good health.
  • One who waits on follow up appointment with doctor.
  • One who was injured in a motorcycle accident; at home now. Continued prayers for healing.
  • A man in his early 30’s who is experiencing painful headaches and a loss of partial vision after a stroke. Prayers for healing and patience.

We continue to pray for …

  • A friend who is battling recurrent brain cancer and is having seizures.
  • All ministries that are working with people dealing with addiction issues that they may be brought to wholeness
  • Our neighbors experiencing homelessness
  • For one who is having chemo treatments; prayers for healing and for no side effects.
  • A member’s cousin who is waiting on a kidney transplant.
  • Friends and family who have needs; prayers for peace and wellbeing.
  • Those members who are waiting on test results or waiting for appointments with doctors; may they feel your peace and patience as they wait.

We give thanks for ….

  • Positive report from medical team.
  • A young man who feels hopeful in job search.
  • New neighbors who have moved in and are so kind.
  • Good visit with cousins from out of town!

Come and cleanse us, then restore us; make new hearts within us Lord!

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.

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Weekly Prayer – 2/11/2025

Week of February 11, 2026

Pastor Sam Dzobo

___________________________ 

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).

Gracious and ever-present God,

You know the rhythm of our days and the longings of our hearts. Meet us here, in this in-between season of endings and beginnings.

We give you thanks for the sacred work of the warming center of these past weeks. Through open doors, warm meals, late nights, and early mornings, you reminded us that your kingdom comes through ordinary faithfulness. We thank you for the volunteers whose feet and willing hands became the body of Christ among our unhoused neighbors. You met them in their fatigue with strength and in their giving with joy. Bless them, sustain them, and let them know their faithfulness has meant the world to those in need. We thank you for generous gifts and shared resources, and for what cannot be measured, the relationships formed, the trust built, and the grace quietly woven among us.

Now we stand at a threshold. This past week, we learned that our pastor, Rev. Catherine Nance, will be retiring in June. God, we thank you for Rev. Catherine Nance and her faithful leadership through seasons of challenge and joy. As she prepares for retirement, grant her rest, health, and deep joy. May she know how deeply she is loved and how lasting her ministry with us will be. Holy Spirit, guide the bishop and appointive cabinet as they discern the next pastor for Church Street. Prepare us as well. Quiet our anxieties and make us ready to receive the one you will send us.

Remind us, O God, that we are yours. That transitions are held in your faithful hands. Keep us missional and grace-filled. We are not without hope. We are your people, and you are our God. In the name of Jesus, who walks with us through every transition, we pray.

Amen.

We pray for ….

  • A member who is having ongoing health issues; chronic illness. Situation compounded by lack of sick days. No pay when they are not able to come to work.
  • Friends who are going through a difficult time.
  • God to help us show more love towards one another.
  • A member’s healing and rehab after knee replacement surgery on Monday.
  • One who has asked for complete healing from cancer.
  • For those adjusting to assisted living centers, memory care, skilled care; and for the families who love them.
  • A member who has begun chemotherapy treatments; prayers for healing.

We continue to pray for …

  • A friend who is battling recurrent brain cancer and is having seizures.
  • A young woman asking for strength and perseverance as she deals with symptoms of PTSD … nightmares and other symptoms. May she feel God’s peace.
  • All ministries that are working with people dealing with addiction issues that they may be brought to wholeness
  • Our neighbors experiencing homelessness
  • For one who is having chemo treatments; prayers for healing and for no side effects.
  • A member’s cousin who is waiting on a kidney transplant.
  • Friends and family who have needs; prayers for peace and wellbeing.
  • Those members who are waiting on test results or waiting for appointments with doctors; may they feel your peace and patience as they wait.

We give thanks for ….

  • A member whose brother received a transplant!

We seek your guidance and strength as we pray together the prayer your Son Jesus Christ has 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.

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Weekly Prayer – 02/04/2025

Week of February 4, 2026

Rev. Catherine Nance

___________________________

It is easier to pray to you on warm days, O God. We know you are always with us, but on cold days it is more difficult to raise our head, lift our hands out to you, and take deep satisfying breaths as we give thanks to you. On cold nights, we are hunched inward, hands clutching our sweater, our bodies drawn up in a knot. Instead of deep breaths, we feel our spirits rattled by shivering. Even indoors, with the heat turned up, we say we cannot get warm and complain about the weather.

Forgive us for our grumpiness, O God, but we are tired of the cold. We are tired of things being cancelled. We are weary of being tied to weather apps. We are just tired.

Thank you for receiving us as we are. May this time of praying together with our church family be a time of thawing out. We do want our hearts and spirits to feel the warmth of your love, and we do want to give thanks for the warm homes and extra blankets we have. We are already sensing a shift in our posture as we unwrap ourselves and open towards you.

Thank you for the opportunity our church has had with the warming center. We pray for those who are volunteering tonight and in the morning. Also, praying for those who are seeking refuge with us tonight and then will come back for Soup Kitchen tomorrow. We admit, O God who knows our hearts, that there have been frustrations. We have had to make changes and rearrange things. It was easy to think that providing a warm place for a night might change people’s lives …. But we have realized that there are many layers and many problems and not one simple solution.

Having our eyes and hearts opened, may we be a helpful voice in offering solutions and understanding. Help us see our neighbors as individuals who have hopes and want so much more. Forgive us when we make quick judgments. We thank you for police officers, KAT bus drivers, and city officials who have offered so much help in getting people to warm places. May leaders work together for long-term solutions.

As we imagine our church family praying along with us, we think of those who have offered prayer requests, and we think of those who are near and dear to us who seek your comfort. We pray for families who are facing new challenges with medical diagnosis or disruption in their lives. When things have turned upside down, your steadfast presence can give us a sense of well-being. When test results and scans show what is going wrong in our body, may your spirit help us feel what is good and healthy in our souls and hearts. We are grateful for the healing power of love that works through all of our interactions and conversations.

We pray for wholeness in so many situations, O God. May our words and actions, through your Holy Spirit, bring reminders of your grace, mercy, and love.

We offer this prayer in the name of Christ and share the concerns of those who have shared…

We pray for ….

A college student who had foot surgery today. Prayers for healing and ease of pain.
A friend who is battling recurrent brain cancer and is having seizures.
A young woman asking for strength and perseverance as she deals with symptoms of PTSD … nightmares and other symptoms. May she feel God’s peace.
All ministries that are working with people dealing with addiction issues that they may be brought to wholeness
For those adjusting to assisted living centers, memory care, skilled care; and for the families who love them.
Our neighbors experiencing homelessness
For one who is having chemo treatments; prayers for healing and for no side effects.

We continue to pray for …

For a member who is beginning the cancer treatment process with appointments for scans, etc.
A member receiving chemo treatments.
For a 5-year old child in Birmingham diagnosed with brain tumor; prayers for his medical team and family.
A member’s cousin who is waiting on a kidney transplant.
Friends and family who have needs; prayers for peace and wellbeing.
Those members who are waiting on test results or waiting for appointments with doctors; may they feel your peace and patience as they wait.
Those who are still without power … places in Mississippi and elsewhere.

We give thanks for ….

A member whose brother received a transplant!
The life of a mentor who meant so much in regards of faith development and vocation.
Those who work outside repairing roads, power lines; EMT personnel, our military … all who have do not get a ‘snow day.’

We seek your guidance and strength as we pray together the prayer your Son Jesus Christ has 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.

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Weekly Prayer – 01/28/2026

Week of January 28, 2026

Rev. Tim Best

___________________________ 

God of strength and mercy,

Hear us when we call out to you, gracious Lord. When we lift our voices, with longing, with expectation, out of grief or suffering, hear us. We are drawn to you, and our hearts guide us towards you. Yet, we often feel overwhelmed and overburdened by the world. These burdens can lead us to despair. Do not allow us to become lost in despair. Grant us strength and patience as we wait upon you and desire your presence and action in our world and in our lives.

Comfort those who suffer, and grant justice to the oppressed. Even more, transform our hearts and teach us in your ways. Gift us with hearts of compassion toward others. Inspired by the Psalm, we pray not just for your intervention, but we pray for education and transformation. Renew our hearts and shape our minds that when we see the suffering of others, when we see the needs of others, guide us to the ways you would have us respond. Show us your paths and help us to follow them.

We pray for our nation. We pray that all people would see the humanity of all your children. We have come to a point of such struggle and disagreement that we know not even what to say to friends and neighbors. We don’t know how to pray in the wake of tragedy and in light of the news. Teach us your mercy and your steadfast love. May your church be guided by your wisdom to speak and minister in this moment. We pray for those who are leading, we pray for those who are imprisoned or are in fear, and we pray for Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota.

Gather those who are sick and help them to see your face and to know your goodness. Walk with those who are undergoing treatments or surgeries, tests, or procedures. Hear the cries of those in pain, those who feel alone in their struggles. May we all find hope in the promises of scripture that we would see the goodness of God in the land of the living.

We lift up all our prayers and the needs and joys of this community as we wait with expectation and hope for the coming of your kingdom. As an act of trust in your mercy and goodness we share the concerns of this Church Street family with you.

We pray for ….

  • All ministries that are working with people dealing with addiction issues that they may be brought to wholeness
  • For a member who is beginning the cancer treatment process with appointments for scans, etc.
  • For a 5-year old child in Birmingham diagnosed with brain tumor; prayers for his medical team and family.
  • For those adjusting to assisted living centers, memory care, skilled care; and for the families who love them.
  • Our neighbors experiencing homelessness
  • A family traveling out of the country; for safety and fun!.

We continue to pray for …

  • A 43-year old nephew in Baltimore, who is being transferred to a rehab hospital today to continue treatment following implantation last week of a Baclofen Pump to help ease the pain of associated with Cerebral Palsy.  Also continued prayers for his mother and other caregivers.
  • Spouses who are caring for their spouse; the toil of caregiving and the feeling of isolation. Prayers for mercy and strength.
  • A member’s cousin who is waiting on a kidney transplant.
  • Friends and family who have needs; prayers for peace and wellbeing.
  • Those members who are waiting on test results or waiting for appointments with doctors; may they feel your peace and patience as they wait.
  • Those who are sick with flu; may they rest and regain strength and health!

We give thanks for ….

  • Volunteers who have helped welcome our homeless neighbors on cold nights.
  • The good coordination and communication between Office on Housing Stability, Cokesbury UMC, Eternal Life Harvest Church, ReLaunch, and Church Street UMC as we provide overnight shelter; and for Vestal UMC who supports during the day.

We take heart and seek your strength as we pray together the prayer your Son Jesus Christ has 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.

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Weekly Prayer – 01/21/2026

Week of January 21, 2026

Rev. Amber Lloyd

___________________________ 

Holy One,

Our hearts are filled with a new song for you this day. We praise you for your everlasting faithfulness, your steadfast love day after day. Your grace goes before us, illuminating our steps and shining light in the dark places of our hearts. Your people at Church Street cry together today, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty. Heaven and earth are full of your glory!”

O God, we lift these cries with the angels and the saints in heaven, but we admit that sometimes our belief is shallow and tepid. We believe that you are God, that you sent your son, that your Spirit is with us. But our belief is merely an intellectual assent. We withhold our trust because it is easier to trust in ourselves. We guard ourselves against your conviction and direction because we don’t want to be changed. We want just enough transformation for self-improvement, but you desire more for us. You would have us be new creations in Christ. God, forgive us when we don’t trust you. Help our unbelief.

For those among us who face illness, unemployment, discrimination, or grief, we ask for the strength and comfort of your Spirit. For our neighbors experiencing homelessness and hunger, we ask for your protection and peace. Bless our enemies, Lord, and bring reconciliation between us and them. We ask these things knowing that, as your people in this world, we will seek to build your Kingdom on earth. By the power of your Spirit, may we be sources of strength and comfort, protection and peace, reconciliation and grace.

Hear our supplications, O God, as we list the concerns of our congregation and community:

We pray for ….

  • A grandbaby in the hospital recovering from respiratory complications. Doing better today but prayers for strength and healing still appreciated!
  • A member in the death of her cousin’s husband who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer; prayers for his wife and children. Giving thanks for a close-knit family and community.
  • A member who is in hospital for pulmonary embolism. 
  • A father hospitalized due to complications from flu & pneumonia.
  • A 43-year old nephew who is having surgery today to put in a pump for a muscle relaxer to treat his Cerebral Palsy. Prayers for all those in Baltimore who are tending to him.
  • A wife and mother meeting with oncologist tomorrow; prayers for clarity and a clear path forward for treatment and healing.
  • A friend from out of town who ended up having open heart surgery at UT last week. Those who are grieving, especially those preparing for funerals this week and next.
  • A family leaving on a celebratory trip to Costa Rica next week; prayers for safety and lots of good memories!
  • A Sunday School class seeking increased wisdom; prayers for members who are struggling with workplace issues.
  • Spouses who are caring for their spouse; the toil of caregiving and the feeling of isolation. Prayers for mercy and strength.

We continue to pray for …

  • A friend from out of town who had open heart surgery at UT last week; prayers of thanksgiving for continued healing. 
  • A member’s cousin who is waiting on kidney transplant.
  • Friends and family who have needs; prayers for peace and wellbeing.
  • Our homeless neighbors
  • A member and her sister as they continue to make decisions for their mother
  • Those members who are waiting on test results or waiting for appointments with doctors; may they feel your peace and patience as they wait.
  • Those who are sick with flu; may they rest and regain strength and health!

We give thanks for ….

  • Volunteers who have helped welcome our homeless neighbors on cold nights.
  • The good coordination and communication between Office on Housing Stability, Cokesbury UMC, Eternal Life Harvest Church, ReLaunch, and Church Street UMC as we provide overnight shelter; and for Vestal UMC who supports during the day.
  • All the things our family has; we want to be grateful and generous and not take anything for granted! We commit to giving and doing more. Thank you, God!

We give thanks for your son, Jesus Christ, and pray together these words which Christ 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.

 

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Weekly Prayer – 01/14/2026

Week of January 14, 2026

Pastor Sam Dzobo

___________________________ 

Do you not say, “Four months more, then comes the harvest? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting” (John 4:35).

Gracious and loving God,

We thank you for this new year you have set before us, a year still fresh with promise and possibility. As we stand in this season of Epiphany, we remember our baptism and renew our identity as your beloved children, marked by grace and called into your light. You remind us, O Lord, that the fields are already ripe for harvest, not someday, not four months from now, but now, if only we would lift our eyes and see.

We bring before you the rhythms of our lives. We pray for students who have returned to classrooms, for teachers and staff beginning a new semester, and for college students navigating new challenges and hopes.

Strengthen those who are faithful to their commitments and encourage those who are weary or discouraged. When resolutions feel heavy, and resolve begins to falter, remind us that your mercy is new every morning.

We thank you for Church Street United Methodist Church, for the prayers we have prayed and the commitments we have made. Receive our pledges and offerings not merely as financial gifts, but as signs of our trust in you and our desire to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. Use what we bring to strengthen our United Methodist connection, to bless our community, and to invite others into the joy of following Jesus.

Beyond what we give, shape our hearts to be available to you. Teach us to answer your call to love you with all that we are and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Make us attentive to your voice, courageous in our witness, and generous in our compassion.

Lord, we pray that this year would be a year of great abundance at Church Street. Abundance of joy that overflows into hope. Abundance of welcome, as you add to our fellowship new people and new stories. Families, children, youth, and young adults, all drawn by your love and grace.

Send us into your harvest fields with open eyes, willing hands, and joyful hearts. May all that we do bring glory to you and bear fruit for your kingdom.

We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, the Light of the world.

Amen.

We pray for ….

  • All those who are going through cancer treatments; especially those dealing with the side effects. Lord, in your mercy …
  • A family whose beloved border collie died this past week.
  • Those who are grieving; especially those preparing for funerals this week and next.
  • Those who are sick with flu; may they rest and regain strength and health!
  • A friend and their baby
  • A friend who had unexpected open heart surgery. Praying for healthy recovery and comfort and strength for the family.

We continue to pray for …

  • A member’s neighbors whose home burned over the holidays; prayers of thanksgiving that no one was hurt. Prayers for strength and quick restoration as they have lost home and all possessions.
  • A member’s cousin who is waiting on kidney transplant.
  • A member’s brother who is in hospital awaiting heart and kidney transplant
  • Friends and family who have needs; prayers for peace and wellbeing.
  • Our homeless neighbors
  • A couple hoping for pregnancy
  • A member and her sister as they continue to make decisions for their mother
  • Those members who are waiting on test results or waiting for appointments with doctors; may they feel your peace and patience as they wait.

We give thanks for ….

  • Volunteers who have helped welcome our homeless neighbors on cold nights.

We offer these petitions in the name of Jesus Christ and close with the prayer Christ taught us, 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.

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Submit your prayer request confidentially by clicking here.

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