Last Night at BSM

April 11, 2016

Last night, our Pastoral Associate for Enfolding, Julia Watkins brought us a word from John 21:1-19 entitled, “No Turning Back.” In this story the disciples were trying to return to a normal way of life. However, Jesus appears to them for a third time after his resurrection calling them to something new. During this Easter season, Jesus also calls us to something new. This calling is not easy, but we trust that Jesus is with us helping us follow the call we’ve been given.

We were led in worship in: I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, Be Thou My Vision, River, and Nearer, My God to Thee.

Our community also offered the following prayers:

Health.

 

Strength/healing for my chronic pain. Find the right doctor and physical therapy. Choosing MSW internship. Finding new housemates after living with the bests. Thankful for friends and family support when I had wallet and phone stolen this week. Thankful for spiritual seeking and spiritual peace.

 

I pray that God helps me with depression and anxiety.

 

Prayers for discernment for next steps because I don’t know what I’m doing.

 

Prayers for *******,  ****** Thank you!!

 

My husband’s eyes.

 

Prayer: I am a broken person, as you may expect. I am also gay, and I like girls. I am having a hard time allowing that part of me coexist in harmony with my faith. So, I need prayer that I will not give up on this plan God has for me. It is big and so beautiful, but it is hard for me to pursue this when I also desire a committed, loving relationship with a woman of God.

 

God, thank you for this place. It was nice to feel your Spirit today. And on Friday. I do love you. Deeply. And I feel your love for me. Truly. I am working on loving myself the way you love me. Help me. Remind me. Amen.

 

Prayers for my mother’s back. Prayer to help me connect with others.

 

Prayers for *****’s sister. For *****’s sister-in-law. Prayer that ***** would experience healing and see hope and need help communicating this hope. That while things won’t return to “normal,” that God will be loving us and showing us a new way.

 

God, be with me and guide me as I prepare to graduate and continue to my next step in life. Call me where I am needed.

 

That I am able, through the strength of God, to forgive my “enemies,” my family, and myself.

 

This week I pray for my father’s health and recovery and for strength for my family. I pray for space in my mind to make decision. I pray for love.

 

Good and Gracious God, Please help. People I love are hurting and feeling broken, and there is nothing I can do but to them to you and this feels pretty feeble. Please hear the words of our hearts, and grant safety and peace to ***** and *****. Be near the ***** family who just lost a brother, and who are saying their last goodbyes to their matriarch. Bind them all in Love and comfort. Bind my heart when feels broken, and as through a piece is missing. Grant guidance and wisdom to ***** help him to know he is worthy of Love. Amen.

 

For guidance as I am blessed and challenged by the responsibility of being a parent…please help me know how to give Love and Grace abundantly, and how to instruct, shape, and mold this person you have intrusted to me. I am feeling tired and lost…please walk me through.

 

For openness; for BSM; for the poor; for those that share, and those that do not; for my mom, sister and brother; for Amigos de Jesus and people of Honduras; for Philadelphia—may it be kind.

 

I pray that my hard work will be enough and pray to have a good life.

 

Please pray for me during this time of a lot of change, for wisdom and vision for the future.

Broad Street Ministry is a broad-minded faith community committed to extending radical hospitality and creating a spiritual home for all, especially those who feel like they don’t belong anywhere else. For more information click here.