BINDING SOUL AND SOURCE
Prayers for the Church Street Family
September 9, 2020
Rev. Dr. Jan Buxton Wade
We have learned, O Lord, that there are periods when aloneness must be honored, for we can always sense the urgency of our souls to catch up with our frenetic pace. It is only in apartness that we can find your rest. Yet, there is also something within us that truly rejects continued isolationism. Especially during these months of social distancing, we have been reminded of our deep need for relationship. We have come to realize how our lives are profoundly intertwined with our relatives, friends, and colleagues. Our faith community, we now know, is a most precious part of our existence. Thank you, Lord, for this bond which continues to sustain us, even while we are physically apart.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As a wise one once said: “Community may be the very door through which one enters the Holy of Holies, where God dwells.” And maybe it is your own holiness within others that pulls us closer to them. We ponder today about those in our church community who have shown us the door to you: those who led us through our fledgling faith . . . . . those who encouraged us along the way . . . . . those who allowed us to ask the hard questions . . . . . those who included us in outreach endeavors . . . . . those who prayed with us . . . . . those whose love of Christ was visible in all they did or said . . . . . Where would we be today without these dear souls? For each of them, alive in this realm or in the next, we are forever thankful.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
O One Who Beckons, since you have called us into relationship, may we offer ourselves anew as your vessels within our community of faith. Who might need a note of gratitude? Who might be in need of encouragement? Who longs for a phone call? Who may be hungry? Who is confused or frightened? In whatever avenue you choose, Lord, lead us to those who wait in hope.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
As your faithfulness falls afresh upon your people, we offer our thanksgivings for your countless favors; and we also name our personal challenges and burdens that are presently weighing us down:
- Grateful for prayers: friend in ICU, Charleston, now recovered & home
- Member thankful that cancer treatment will be milder than expected
- Thankful member: family arrived safely in Belgium to begin new work
- Gratitude: Church Benevolence Ministry boldly assisting the growing needy population throughout community
- Prayers for one in court proceeding today & tomorrow, for case dismissal
- Healing of adult son living far away from home, recovering from surgery
- Two babies in ICU – both healing from heart complications
- Prayers for all school personnel who support young persons in many ways
- Cherished mother in hospice care at home & her family standing by
- Relief for one suffering from depression; a caregiver near exhaustion
- Prayers for wisdom for 3 members studying for the bar exam
- Healing mercies for college-age son & 2 families suffering with virus
- That hunger may be alleviated by generosity – September is Hunger Action Month
- Comfort for family: ill father recently moved to longterm care facility
- Member grieving following untimely death of lifelong friend
- Wife suffering from addictions & her husband trying to help
- Prayers for beloved husband now in hospital/hospice & his family
- Recovery for a neighbor’s father who has a major heart problem
O Portal of Life, as you already live in our hearts, we pray that whatever we attempt to do in your name today might somehow open the door that leads another to you. And should he or she find the way to your holiness through such a word or deed, may it be to your everlasting glory. With all devotion, we offer these prayers in the name of Jesus the Christ 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.
