Prayer & Praise/ Praying Through the Pandemic
PENTECOST
The Collect
Almighty God, on this day, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, you revealed the way of eternal life to every race and nation: Pour out this gift anew, that by the preaching of the Gospel your salvation may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Preface of Pentecost or this O God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Acts 2:1-11
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”
Ps 104:25-37
So is the great and wide sea also, * in which are things creeping innumerable, creatures both small and great.
There go the ships, and there is that Leviathan, * whom you made to take its pleasure therein.
These all wait upon you, * that you may give them food in due season.
When you give it to them, they gather it, * and when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
When you hide your face, they are troubled; * when you take away their breath, they die, and are turned again to their dust.
When you let your breath go forth, they shall be made, * and you shall renew the face of the earth.
The glorious majesty of the Lord shall endure for ever; * the Lord shall rejoice in his works.
He looks at the earth and it trembles; * if he even touches the hills, they shall smoke.
I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; * I will praise my God while I have my being.
And so shall my words please him; * my joy shall be in the Lord.
As for sinners, they shall perish from the earth, and the ungodly shall come to an end. *
Praise the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord.
+Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be; world without end. Amen
1 Corinthians 12:4-13
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
John 20:19-23
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
I’ll be flying one-way from Phoenix, AZ to Miami this coming Tuesday. Once there, my daughter and I will drive back across country to Phx, staying in hotels along the way.
Please pray for safety. I’ve got the chlorox wipes ready to go! 🙂
Please pray that my body will hold up. I’ve got the drugs and my special seat cushion ready to go!
Also, please pray that my daughter and I will have an enjoyable and memorable road trip. I’ve also got the “car tunes” ready to go!
Godkeep, dear CK… Praying with…. Health, safety and an enjpyable, loving Father Daughter journey…
Thanks so much, Em! 🙂
please remember in prayer
Michael – tachycardia
Our Phoenix Preacher family, health, healing, joy, peace
Kelly -I have a real need to continue to see my counselor. In addition to the other reasons I see him for I have been having day long panic attacks that I hide behind a smile since my kids are schooling from home. I don’t know if video counseling is going to work out and that adds to the panic on top of the depression and PTSD-C symptoms. (Add to that not know if my husband will continue to have a job and health insurance to pay for counseling.) 2 – 4 months feels like forever to not have that support. Please pray for those of us that have mental illnesses that need that support to function in this insane world. I pray my kids never detect this anxiety and have the care free childhoods they deserve.
Alissa-We just experienced this as well. My sweet husband has Autism and was let go from his job yesterday. For Autistic folks change is doubly difficult. Routines are altered and anxiety increases leading to meltdowns and stress. Finding a good job that understands and can adapt with folks on the spectrum is essential. It is heartbreaking that this is happening….but….GOD IS IN CONTROL. Lord please calm your children’s minds. You know how each and every BEAUTIFUL autistic mind functions. Please pour out your peace which surpasses all understanding. Please give support, understanding and routine back into lives. Thank you for providing those jobs for that season. Guide us and direct us, in Jesus name. Amen
filbertz -my wife and I are fine. I went to immediate care a couple days ago for symptoms and I’m simply sick, not with the virus-that-must-not-be-named. That’s good. We closed our café after trying to keep the doors open and a couple staff employed, but had too little business to justify staying open. Catering–DOA for now–all dates have been cancelled. I’m out of school and the building is shuttered until the end of April. I’m concerned for our students. I’m concerned for my kids whose jobs are teetering on the brink. But we will get through it. I’m keeping busy, being available to anyone who needs a hand. I’m not fussing over my retirement funds–maybe I’ll have to work longer, who knows. I’m peaceful for now and praying for wisdom for myself and those who have difficult decisions to make. I’m praying for peace and comfort for those who have deep stress and anxiety. I’m praying that the Spirit of God will move in his people to mobilize them for good and service in their communities and with their neighbors in the name of Jesus. I’m in a good space, but have been in bad ones before so I understand how transient and unpredictable these things are.
Patrik -Pray for me, an ER nurse in Indianapolis. You are right in what you’ve said about the public generally not knowing what they are dealing with. I am concerned about contracting this stuff in time.
Dan form Georgia-Pray for me too. I work in aviation/transportation. We are getting hit HARD as many of you know. I am not even confident when I go into work everyday that it will be my last day (layoff or termination). Also struggling alot with anxiety.
Cathy Andrews -I am not one who panics easily, but I can tell you, this has me all twisted up…not for me, but for my coworkers, my church family and my neighbors…I have been furloughed as of tomorrow, two of my coworkers have no other income other than what we make at work…I am scared for them…my stepson just moved in with us recovering from a horrific auto accident in november…I am scared for him…I am scared for my brother & sisters in my church family who have compromised lungs…I am scare for my pastor who is not physically well at all…I am scared for myself because I am helpless to help them…but I am repeating and repeating “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27…perhaps we should all keep repeating this…
Bride of Christ-My daughter works for the city of Honolulu coordinating data storage for the new rail project there. She and her employees are planning on working from home for the next two weeks. She has two employees who don’t have computers at home and she is conflicted about what to do. The two employees both are borderline poverty level and she doesn’t know how to proceed. Public libraries are still open in Oahu but I told her they will probably be closing soon. The cost of living in Oahu is the highest in the country, so this might explain why x me don’t have computers or internet connection at home. She also will be working with a 3 month old baby at home with her since her private daycare center isn’t sure how long they will remain open. Her husband is in the Army and they had to cancel their planned trip to Monterey where she was to be the maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding next month because the military has forbidden military and their families from traveling anywhere more than 50 miles from where they are stationed. This alone is a hardship for many military families because so many are stationed far from home. My daughter called me this morning asking for prayer. I just came home 10 days ago from Hawaii after staying with them for a month after the birth of their son . I am so grateful I went when I did and was able to meet my new grandson. My husband and I were planning to go to the wedding in Monterey and my husband was so excited about meeting him then, but now that the wedding has been cancelled he’s wondering when he ever will be able to hold his new grandson. Our military families are facing even stricter travel prohibitions than the general population and facing higher anxiety than normal.
Chris -My wife started her second career as a nurse this week on the hospital floor that they treat the Covid patients. She is courageous with her own health but scared of bringing it home and killing one of our family. Pray for peace and courage and health
Linneia – joint and muscle aches
Nancy – prayer for her discernment of an unexpected opportunity to become a more public advocate for the homeless, especially the challenges that homeless women face. Sandra participates in her church’s ministry of providing meals, clothing and occasional housing opportunities. She understands the serious responsibilities of being an effective and sensitive communicator of those needs and also the benefits and temptations that a more public presence might bring into her life. Her passion is great to be obedient to God and truly serve others. I am blessed to be one of her beneficiaries!!
Em – daughter is healing from fracture spine
Babylon’s Dread – My ministry partner got ill manifesting mental instability. He is a stroke survivor so we returned early. He is now in hospital being tested for stroke. He is my friend of 25 years and was my co-pastor starting our church. Because of the coronavirus he’s in quarantine protocols – he has no symptoms of infection but all international returnees with illness go into these protocols. He is very confused and unstable.
Michael – I would appreciate prayer as well…life is pretty overwhelming right now.
Captain Kevin – Appreciate prayer. I’ve been in a Fibro/fatigue/depressed funk all week.
Also, I’m teaching piano and voice at a local studio, and need many more students to make things work.
Linnea – Would you pray for Greg? He and my husband play tennis. He was treated for an aggressive brain cancer and thought he was clear, but it has roared back. Please pray for healing and that he and his wife come to know the Lord. Thank you!
Xenia-+Pray for the churches of Sri Lanka
Paige – Asking for prayer for a family issue… God knows…. and the silencing of a lying gossip who is spreading slander about me to family members and others. It’s an on going issue that is quite perplexing, and apparently demonic. Twisted, delusional and strange.
I spoke to a trusted friend about the issue and was told “Satan has given XYZ power to turn people against you” and “XYZ has been used by Satan to destroy your former marriage and harm the church and now to divide your family”.
This XYZ happens to also be cyber stalking me here on the Phoenix preacher.
May God enlighten all souls to see and know Truth and walk in it by His Spirit.
cash – depression , PTSD
David H – I could use a prayer. I was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy . Right side of my face is paralyzed. Prednisone and an antiviral.
Michael – heart aneurysm and a bad valve, bad back and neck issues.
JD – Marshal whose mother told him that she doesn’t love him
Linnea – Jon and Sarah. Please pray that they would know God’s love and would follow Him out of horrible lifestyles to freedom.
Michael, Rick, Joel, Dan, capt. Kevin, Owen – wand to hear from God in their prayer life
JTK- ongoing back issue.
David H – Aunt Ramona has Adenocarcinoma primary lung cancer.
Victor- chronic back pain
Linnea- sister salvation
Paige- 4 boys to be pleasing to God
Captain Kevin, praying with you and Em for safe, comfortable and enjoyable travels for you and your daughter. Much love brother
Father, we need You
We love You, and praise You. We long to see You and feel Your touch.
Let us touch the hem of Your Robe, Jesus, that we may be healed.
Be our healing balm of Giliad. Be our Salvation
Amen, praying your list today… Thank you, dusty
We praise Your Holy Name Father God. We worship You. We bow before You. We are so unworthy, but You call us Your children. Bless us and make us whole. Be our Strong Tower. Be our Healer.Have mercy on us.