BINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
September 23, 2020
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say that to you he hath said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
Indeed, Holy One, you are that sure foundation on which we stand. Amid the apprehension and unpredictability of this present era, our lives would crumble if you had not planted us securely upon your rock that never fails. Your scriptures and hymns, inspired by your Spirit, speak the words our hearts long to hear. We stand grateful for loved ones who have buoyed us when our souls were ragged, for our church family which offers a place of belonging. We believers are separated by distance perhaps, but not separated from our firm faith in your saving love, our commitment to your church, and our trust in each other.
“Fear not, I am with thee, oh be not dismayed,
for I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.”
The words you first spoke through your prophet Isaiah, “Fear not, for I am with you…” have reverberated through the ages, through many voices, giving us strength to carry on. You have provided aid in our most recent times of trial: for six months you have raised up researchers to probe the origins of and possible cures for the virus; you have called resolute healthcare workers and first responders to assist the ill; you have enlightened leaders to advise us concerning protection; and you have provided avenues which enable us to stay connected. Our vulnerability stems not only from the menacing disease that has seeped into every crevice of our lives, for we have been weakened also by the violence that has increasingly debased our common life. Save us, we pray, from the hatred that blinds us and the fear that leaves us cringing and dismayed. By your omnipotent hand, make us brave enough to confront the forces of prejudice and anger within ourselves, then turn our warring chants into a doxology of hope.
“When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.”
Our lives are replete with personal stories of your saving deliverance, yet we remain fragile mortals who always seek out your healing and renewal. We cannot know the outcome of our prayers, but we trust that when we turn everything over to you, O Bedrock of our Faith, your grace shall be sufficient. So many across our globe are mired in misfortune and who also await your deliverance. Comfort and carry all the afflicted in their hour of sorrow, we pray, and attend to these concerns and joys that are uppermost in the hearts of your people of Church Street:
- One celebrates: no further treatment needed after cancer surgery
- Two thankful for long-awaited reunion
- Gratitude: Mother home from hospital, recovering well from surgery
- College student happily reports her post-surgery pain in easing
- Thankful: Benevolence Ministry – helping poor in our community
- Comfort for member & family – grieving mother’s death
- Traveling mercies for grandson en route to TX today
- Continued prayers for healing of NICU baby
- Dear mother in assisted living with many medical issues
- Member suffering greatly with back pain, prayers for relief
- Safety for members driving to a grandmother’s funeral today
- Healing for family grieving the death of beloved wife & mother
- Blessings for two mothers-to-be, that babies are born healthy
- NICU baby – pray for healing of his heart & for his parents
- All dealing with loss due to wildfires & tropical storm
- Member grieving the recent death of a lifelong friend
- Proper diagnosis of young daughter’s fainting issues
The soul that on Jesus still leans for repose
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no never forsake.
Yes, our souls find their rest in you, Faithful One; may we find courage, too, that we will remain faithful to the end. And by your mercy, grant that we might grow in the resolve of your once-rejected Cornerstone, our Savior, Christ Jesus, who 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.
