31-derful Prayers

What’s prayer? It’s shooting shafts into the dark. What mark they strike, if any, who’s to say? It’s reaching for a hand you cannot touch. The silence is so fathomless that prayers like plummets vanish into the sea. . . . Prayer is the wind that fills the sail. And sometimes, by God’s grace, 
a prayer is heard.
 –Frederick Buechner


A group of dedicated believers has chosen October to be a month of prayer for the nation, culminating with the remembrance of those who have gone before, on All Saints’ Day. As we celebrate a fresh commitment as a united church family, fulfilling a promise we made to ourselves, it seems fitting to focus our minds and hearts even more, and perhaps imagine our prayers as outreach into the world.

We have grown tremendously as a praying congregation. We pray as one heart, in private and even >gasp< in public! We are discovering that in praying for one another, our own deepest longings are often satisfied.

Even more intriguing: we are seeing and sensing God’s Holy Spirit at work, in individuals and as a Family. It’s truly remarkable.

The early church understood that all we have and all we are is of God. They gave freely of themselves to one another.

And the Lord added to their number daily (Acts 2:47).


Monday Reflect today on our statement of belief and commitment to unity in diversity. Give thanks for the Church in the Circle. Matthew 6:6

Tuesday Today, consider adding an extra period of prayer in your day, a morning devotional or evening time with Scripture, perhaps. Reflect on the experience. 1 John 5:14-15

Wednesday Pray today for the executive branch of our federal government, asking God’s wisdom as they lead us. Give thanks for their dedication to serve. Romans 8:26

Thursday Pray today for the hundreds of men and women who serve their states as senators and representatives, asking for wisdom and for a desire to truly serve their constituents. Philippians 4:6

Friday Today, spend time praying for the Supreme Court and their wisdom as they serve. Give thanks for their dedication. Mark 1:35

Saturday As the midterm elections draw nearer, pray for discernment as you vote. Contact your local Board of Elections or League of Women Voters and ask how you can help. Luke 18:6-8

Sunday Enter God’s gates with thanksgiving and God’s courts with praise (Psalm 100)! Praise God for the hands that have done so much in the sanctuary renovation. Psalm 84:1-2


Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, it is laying hold of [God’s] willingness. –Martin Luther

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