“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing…”  (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17)

Alice Nolan was over 100 years old when I went to visit her many years ago now.  She had been a member of the church I was serving at the time since the 1930’s.  In fact, she served as the organist for the church when she was in her teens. By the time I knew Alice she was home bound and moved about with the assistance of a wheelchair. She was no longer able to physically come to worship services, but she was still passionate about her faith and her church.

I learned much that day about her life, the church, and the community.  The thing that stays with me about that visit, though, is what she taught me about prayer. As I was getting ready to leave that day, she asked if she could pray for me.  I readily agreed…and fifteen minutes later we said “Amen”.  It didn’t feel like 15 minutes though. She prayed with her whole being and it seemed as if the Holy Spirit had suspended time as her words poured forth. I just remained quiet and still and received her blessings. 

Following the prayer, Alice told me, “Pastor, I pray every day for the church and for you. I can’t come anymore but I can still pray. That is my ministry. Late at night, when I can’t sleep, I just lay there and pray.” I realized in that moment she was sustaining the church through prayer. That was her calling, her gift, her joy. I saw how important that simple gift of prayer is for the health of a church community. She couldn’t give much in the way of time or money, but she could pray…and she did so generously. 

It is a simple gift to pray for the church. It is something that doesn’t take a great deal of time; only intention, commitment, and passion. Here at the beginning of a New Year, I am rededicating myself to praying for Christ Church United Methodist and I would love for you to join me. Below, I have listed a prayer for each day of the week that I invite you to pray with me throughout this year. The prayers are offered on behalf of our church community/family. 

Paul reminds us to pray without ceasing and Jesus promised that for all who knock the door will be opened. Therefore, let us dedicate ourselves to this simple work of prayer on behalf of the church, and trust the movement of the Holy Spirit across our lives and the church.  Amen. 

  Sunday:

God of great deeds, on the first day of the week you wondrously called forth light out of darkness. On the first day of the week you graciously raised Jesus from the dead. On the first day of the week you powerfully formed the church through the gift of your Holy Spirit. By this triple witness you testify to us concerning your covenant love. Grant that all who worship you this day may do so in spirit and in truth, and present to you a living sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving through Christ our Savior. Amen. (“This Day”, by Laurence Hull Stookey)

 Monday:

O God of all times and places, we pray for your Church, which is set today amid the perplexities of a changing order, and face to face with new tasks. Baptize her afresh in the life-giving spirit of Jesus. Bestow upon her a great responsiveness to duty, a swifter compassion with suffering, and an utter loyalty to your will. Help her to proclaim boldly the coming of your kingdom. Put upon her lips the ancient gospel of her Lord. Fill her with the prophets’ scorn of tyranny, and with a Christlike tenderness for the heavy laden and downtrodden. Bid her cease from seeking her own life, lest she lose it. Make her valiant to give up her life to humanity, that, like her crucified Lord, she may mount by the path of the cross to a higher glory; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Walter Rauschenbusch, United Methodist Book of Worship, #504)

Tuesday:

 Lord, make us an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.

(adapted from the Prayer of St. Francis)

Wednesday:

May God our Creator protect us this day and circle us with the fragrance of peace.
May Christ our Lord and loving friend protect us this day and circle us with affection and love.
May the Spirit of truth who dwells in our hearts protect us this day and circle us and fill us with joy.  Amen. (adapted from The Caim/circle prayer from A Celtic Liturgy)

Thursday:

God of herons and heartbreak, teach us to love the world again.  Teach us to love extravagantly knowing it may (it will) break our hearts and teach us that it is worth it. God of pandemics and suffering ones, teach us to love the world again. God of loneliness and longing, of bush fires and wilderness, of soup kitchens and border towns, of snowfall and children, teach us to love the world again.  Amen (Sarah Bessey, from A Rhythm of Prayer)

Friday:

God of multitudes, ruler of the universe:
Look with favor upon Christ's flock in this place.
Cause our congregation to be
an effective witness to your love and power.
To this end, banish from us
pettiness and rivalry,
speaking ill of one another,
seeking to serve ourselves rather than you.
Guide the leaders of the congregation, both lay and ordained,
that in turn they may guide us also into your ways.
Bind us together by your love
and cause us to know ourselves to be
a people called out of darkness into your marvelous light.
This we ask through Christ who himself is head of the church.  Amen.

(from “This Day”, by Laurence Hull Stookey)

Saturday:

Prepare our hearts, O Lord, to join together with your whole congregation
to praise and serve you. Reveal your presence to all who will gather in adoration and self-offering. To those who cannot for good reason go gladly into your house, give your strength and consolation, that they may know of the concern of their communities of faith. Make us receptive to your word for us, and enable us to know and do your will. Bind your people together in a shared faith, a common witness, and compassionate service to the world; through Jesus our Savior. Amen. (from “This Day”, by Laurence Hull Stookey)

Together we are the hands and feet of Jesus,
Brett