Pastor Scottie, Myra Burkhalter and Diane Childress
September 29, 2021 at 7:30 PM
Prayers for God's Healing and Light
Bulletin for the Healing and Light Service
A SERVICE OF HEALING AND LIGHT
“A LIGHT that darkness cannot overpower” John 1:5
September 29, 2021
READINGS AND PRAYERS: There will be several pauses during the prayers for you to lift the names of specific persons aloud. We ask that you only use first names to respect privacy. When you respond “hear our prayer” after each prayer, we encourage you to raise your flashlight to the heavens.
Our confession:
1 John 1:5-9 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Light of the World, we thank you and praise you for the gift of forgiveness through Jesus’s death and resurrection. As we confess our sins, we are purified and have fellowship with You and one another. Lord have mercy,
C: Lord have mercy on me.
For the Church
Matthew 5:15-16 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Most high God, strengthen each of us who are a part of your Church to be the light of the earth like you commanded. Now is the time that the Church should be an example of what it means to shine God’s light into a hurting world. Open our hearts and give us creative minds to reach out to those who are hurting, or marginal, or lonely, or hungry even though we must be careful with physical distance. Remind us that our eyes can smile even if our mouth is covered with a mask. Lord in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
For our community, nation, world
James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
King of King and Lord of Lords, never let our leaders in Tri-Cities, our state, our nation and throughout the world forget that mercy is a gift from you. Give them wisdom to make wise choices based on facts, not on political gains or rumors. Grant them discernment as they make decisions that affect the lives of others. Assure all leaders that although this world’s dark shadows change constantly, You are light, You never change and Your love for mankind never changes. Lord in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
For those ill
Genesis 1:3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
Healing God, we pray for those who are unwell due to the coronavirus, other illnesses or injuries. Especially those we name aloud now... In your compassion grant them strength, comfort, peace and healing. Just as you miraculously brought light into our world with Your voice, we know that You can still work miracles in any of our lives. May those who are ill and their families hold fast to hope through You. Lord in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
For the hospitalized
Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
Prince of Peace, calm the fears of those who are isolated due to hospitalization. Especially those we name aloud now… Remind them that the Lord is their salvation, stronghold and their light. We pray they will trust You, feel Your presence, and believe that nothing can separate them from Your love. Remind them that Jesus Christ suffered alone on the cross and understands their pain. Lord in your mercy.
C: Hear our prayer.
For those near death
Matthew 4:16 The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
Everlasting Father, we pray for those who are now walking in the shadow of death, especially those we name aloud now…. Help them see Your great light, the light of the World. Even if they are alone, they can rely on you to be beside them every step of the way, no matter what the hours and days ahead hold. Comfort them and give them and their families Your peace. Lord in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
For those living with mental illness, anxiety or fear
Psalm 139:7-12 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
Wonderful Counselor, many around us are living with worsening mental health, increasing anxiety or disabling fear. We can see it on their faces. Especially those we name aloud now…. They may feel like they are hidden and surrounded by darkness. But darkness is like light to You, oh God! The night will shine like the day. Your light can give hope to the hopeless. Make us aware of those who are hurting emotionally and use us to shine Your light in their lives. Guide them towards paths of wholeness. Lord in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
For health care workers
Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
God almighty, we pray a special blessing of peace and mercy to health care workers, especially those we name aloud now….They are again risking their lives and their sanity to provide care for the ill. Renew their energy and sustain them on long shifts. Bring your protection upon them as they work with patients. Give skill, sympathy and resilience to all who are caring for the sick. Give them a sound mind and guide them to wise decisions when they are facing chaotic situations. Strengthen them with Your Spirit, that through their work, many will be restored to health. Lord in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
For those who mourn
Psalm 112:4 Light arises in the darkness for the upright; He is gracious and compassionate and righteous.
Living God, hear the cries of those mourning and grieving the loss of a loved one, especially those we name aloud now…. As we mourn those who have left us, make us mindful that you are a compassionate God who weeps along with us. Because of Christ’s death, the death of a believer is a transition into an eternal life that continues after our physical bodies leave this world. Comfort and sustain those who mourn in the days ahead. Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
For those with other diseases or injuries not being adequately treated due to hospitals at capacity
Psalm 80:19 Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.
Righteous God, the harsh reality of hospitals full of Covid 19 patients is that many are having to delay surgery, treatment or testing for other conditions. We beseech you to comfort those who are frustrated and scared by these delays. It is our sincere prayer that medical facilities will soon be able to care for ALL patients in a timely manner. Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
For the isolated, vulnerable, lonely and hopeless
John 1:3-5 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Ever present God, for a year and a half, we have all lived with much uncertainty and upheaval in our world. This has caused many of us to frequently feel lonely, isolated, vulnerable or hopeless. Remind us that although things may seem dark, we can rest assured that your light dispels that darkness and always will. When we return home and begin feeling isolation, loneliness, vulnerability or hopelessness, nudge us to turn on the flashlights we received tonight as a visual reminder of God overcoming darkness with Light. Flashlights might also remind us to let God use us to shine light into other’s dark days. Lord in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
For educators and students
Psalm 18:28 You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.
Faithful Lord, educators are weary after a year of teaching online and changes in their typical teaching style. Remind them that it is You who can ‘keep their lamp burning’ as they persevere during these uncertain and frustrating times. The education of our children has been so disrupted and broken for over a year, inspire teachers, administrators and parents to keep children engaged in learning. We beseech You to protect children and teachers from the ravages of this virus. Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
For businesses and employees facing financial hardship
Psalm 37:5-6 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
Gracious God, many families are hurting financially because of loss of a job or decreased business due to close downs, a disrupted supply chain and a faltering economy. Help them to trust in You to meet their basic needs through others, new job openings or other means of assistance you put in their paths. Nudge our hearts if there are ways we can help. Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
For pastors and church leaders
Acts 26:22-23 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.
Sanctifying God, 2020 and 2021 have been more difficult than usual for pastors and other church leaders. Remind them that you have helped them in days that have passed, and you will continue to walk beside them and guide them through these unprecedented times. Give them wisdom and creativity and stamina. We ask you to help them find times of rest and relaxation so that they can continue Your calling to minister to their flock. Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
For wisdom
Psalm 119:30 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
Lord of Hosts, we are bombarded with news, secular opinions, social media and untruths daily. Give us discernment to see the truth. Make us continually aware that ultimately, it is your Word that lights our paths. Help us to remain in your Word daily as we navigate these trying times. Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
CLOSING PRAYER: (Pastor and Congregants)
Loving, ever-living and compassionate God,
You are a light that shines in the darkest times,
Guide us and heal us in our sickness and sorrow.
You understand the pain of loss, the heartache of bereavement,
May we hold in our hearts all those whose families or friends have died.
You comfort us in times of fear,
May we comfort each other, even as we keep apart.
You console and lead us in times of doubt and confusion,
May we follow the light of your love and spread hope.
You move our hearts to acts of generosity,
May we be led to share what we have with those in need.
God of life, we thank you for the signs of your light in the midst of our darkness,
May we shine the light of your compassion in the heart of your world.
Amen (Credit to: Linda Jones/CAFOD)
