Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family

Week of October 5, 2022

Rev. Catherine Nance

We pray for our church this evening, Gracious God. 

It is busy in this church building today, O God. As it was yesterday. And the day before. 

Of course, we were here on Sunday singing praises and offering prayers; learning lessons and sharing fellowship. We shared the Body and Blood of Christ at Your Table and felt the communion of the saints around the world and throughout eternity. 

It is our prayer that what happens here on Sunday reverberates with us throughout the week. The nourishment we received at the Table strengthens our spirits to receive and share your grace. May our behavior, thoughts, and words reflect that we have been with the Lord. We thank you, God, for Sundays! 

We thank you for the clerical that happens on Monday. Counting offering, reading through friendship pads. Noting names of visitors and rejoicing at names of members we have not seen in a while. Checking the hospital board for who has gone home and noting names of members’ loved ones who have died. God of details, you know how important this work is. In each offering envelope sealed, in each name written, and in each phone call received, there is a story and a disciple. Thank you for the tasks that remind us. 

God who has called some to ‘church work,’ we thank you for staff and volunteers who gather on Tuesday to touch base, look ahead, celebrate, evaluate, and encourage. May each one know your presence in a very real way as they do their work of making your presence known to others. We thank you for the laity who come on weeknights to attend meetings and provide leadership and enthusiasm for the mission and ministry of this church. Thank you for their commitment of time and service. 

God who sang out the first words, thank you for choir members who come tonight to tune their hearts and voices together. May the anthems sung mirror their devotion to the music of the Holy Spirit. O God, who gave us the ability to hum a melody, may the music we sing here echo in our lives throughout the week. Recording worship for those who cannot attend happened today. May the effort be pleasing to you and may those who watch know they are connected here.  

And, there is tomorrow … Soup Kitchen and other gatherings. 

This is a busy place, O God! May all of our movement and conversation and interactions in this place be pleasing to you! Amidst the activity, may we know that it is holy work and not just busyness! For those who are here only on Sundays, may their lives be made more meaningful because of worship. We do not desire busy lives, Precious Redeemer, but meaningful lives steeped in your grace and love. 

We pray for …

  • The friends and family of a young woman who died of cancer this past week. Thankful she was surrounded by so much love and support.
  • Church members who have been hospitalized recently. Prayers of thanksgiving for successful surgeries and treatments.
  • Church member who had a heart attack last month is beginning cardio rehab. Prayers that he will regain strength and energy. 
  • For mother of a member who had cancer surgery today; prayers for family as they make decisions about care.
  • For members who are grieving 
  • A member who has lost so much in a fire this past week; his beloved dog, a family cabin, all the treasures. May he be restored to health and hope.
  • A brother in Illinois, whose farm had a horrible barn fire. Prayers for the family as they suffer this great lost of property and livestock.
  • A member who is in the hospital anxious to begin physical therapy; prayers that he walk ‘steady on his feet’ again!
  • A 16-year old classmate who is in Children’s Hospital suffering from Crohn’s Disease; may the doctors help her manage pain and symptoms.
  • A baby at Vanderbilt undergoing surgery
  • A family whose husband and father died suddenly; prayers of thanksgiving for opportunity give organs so others might have life.

We give thanks for …

  • The A. Orin Bishop Lecture event and Dr. Kate Bowler
  • Beautiful weather!
  • Good medical care and doctors who genuinely have a sense of calling

We continue to pray for ….

  • Those with chronic illness.
  • Those who are grieving whether loss occurred last month or years ago; be with us in our grief.
  • The people of Ukraine and Russia
  • Clean up and rebuilding efforts from Hurricane Ian

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.