Prayer List
If you could see the journey whole
you might never undertake it;
might never dare the first step that propels you
from the place you have known
toward the place you know not.
Call it one of the mercies of the road: that we see it only by stages
as it opens before us,
as it comes into our keeping
step by single step.
There is nothing for it but to go
and by our going take the vows the pilgrim takes:
to be faithful to the next step;
to rely on more than the map;
to heed the signposts of intuition and dream;
to follow the star that only you will recognize;
to keep an open eye for the wonders that attend the path;
to press on beyond distractions
beyond fatigue
beyond what would tempt you from the way.
There are vows that only you will know;
the secret promises for your particular path
and the new ones you will need to make
when the road is revealed by turns
you could not have foreseen.
Keep them, break them, make them again:
each promise becomes part of the path;
each choice creates the road that will take you to the place
where at last you will kneel to offer
the gift most needed—the gift that only you can give—
before turning to go home by another way.
*"For Those Who Have Far To Travel" - poem by Jan Richardson
This week we pray for:
Henry Darden, son of Gracie and Frank Darden
We give thanks that baby Henry's cranial surgery went well and continue to pray for full healing.
Dorothy, Dawn Kridel's mother-in-law
Prayers for comfort for Dorothy, mother of Dawn's husband Mike, as her health continues to deteriorate.
Sandy Schmidt
Prayers for continued healing and comfort.
David Schmidt
Dave tested positive for breakthrough Covid infection last Friday. He has very mild symptoms. Prayers for healing.
Alice Schmitthenner
Continued prayers for comfort and peace for sons August (Augie) and Tom, as well as their families as they grieve Alice. I will send an update with details about the memorial service when those will be available. If you would like Augie's home address to send a card, please contact the church office.
As temperatures drop, we pray for those who do not have a safe and warm place to call home. We pray for all in our community who are supporting the operation of the Severe Weather Shelter at the Salvation Army.
We pray for the lingering challenges at the US southern border, and especially for the many around the world seeking asylum, help, and care.
We pray for the people struggling for freedom, peace and justice; for places torn by conflict, famine and violence. We give thanks for all who work to make this world a more peaceful place.
As the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus spreads across the world, we pray for wisdom so that all will do the right thing to protect the wellbeing of our communities. We pray for exhausted medical staff who care for the sick; for people in countries with no access to the vaccine.
