Thank God for Doug O'Donnell and his message on Sunday from Job 30:9-23, “I Waited for Light, But Darkness Came.” May the Lord strengthen and encourage those of us experiencing a time of darkness.

Pray for Pastor Daniel as he prepares to preach this week’s message from Isa 42:1–9.

Pray for Pastor Chris to be refreshed during his summer sabbatical. May he accomplish all that God has for him during this time.

Pray for Bob and Diane as they continue their battle with cancer.

Prayer Request for Sue Senders:

Last summer in 2024 I lifted the end of a heavy couch several times by myself, and I felt something happen to my back. I have had pain since then, but thought it would go away. Finally in April, I went to a back dr. She didn’t see anything on the x-ray and sent me to physical therapy. After 8 weeks and no change, she ordered an MRI. Because she was leaving the practice, I switched to a new dr. who I saw yesterday. The MRI report showed I fractured my lower spine and I have a cyst on my kidney. Whether the fracture happened when I lifted the couch, I don’t know. The dr. said the fracture was relatively new. He also said because of my age, it may heal or it may never heal. So I am going to have a cortisone shot as the next step to help with pain. I am thankful I have an answer for why it is hurting. As for the cyst, he said it doesn’t look worrisome, but I should follow up with my primary care dr. Please pray that I can manage the pain and that the fracture will heal. I am having a hard time getting comfortable to sleep. 

Prayer in the Parlor: During the four Sundays in July, the elders are hosting a pre-service prayer meeting for our church, our community, and the world, from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m. All are welcome to join in this focused time of intercession.

Our prayer this morning will be based on Psalm 103. Please pray with me.

We bless you LORD

You established your throne in the heavens, and your kingdom rules over all. So it is right that all your works may bless you in all places of your dominion.

We confess that our days are like grass; we flourish like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.

In our own strength we whither under your judgment, and we are undone by our sin. So we confess our sins to you in silence.

We are grateful that you do not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as far as the east is from the west, so far do you remove our transgressions from us.

So we bless you LORD, and forget not all your benefits. You forgive all our iniquity, heal all our diseases, redeem our lives from the pit, crown us with steadfast love and mercy, and satisfy us with good so that our youth is renewed like the eagle’s. We remember these benefits with hope of their full realization in the resurrection.

For now, we pray for those who are in the pit of illness, anxiety, depression, and discouragement. We pray that you would grant them a fresh breeze of hope in the love of Christ and his church.

We pray for Congregation Beth Shalom, where Jews in our city gather. We pray that as your word is read, the good news of your grace will shine into the hearts of those gathered there. We pray also for your protection from antisemitic violence, and we pray that you would help us to be sensitive and loving witnesses to Jesus among our Jewish neighbors.

We know you work righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. Would you help us to be agents of your justice for those around us. We pray for a just peace in Israel, in Ukraine, and in Myanmar. We pray for the anxious and grieving families in Texas, that loved ones swept away in the floods may be found and the missing who are still alive may be reunited with their families.

Father, we want to give you thanks for your faithful love for Judy Blumhofer and the children in her home as well as the children and families that her ministry touches. We pray that you would give Judy favor with the authorities in Honduras for all the paperwork needed for her medical licensure and adoption process for Angel. Guide Judy as she works in a government medical facility and help her to be a faithful witness and effective healer in that context. We thank you for the addition of another baby boy to Judy’s household and pray that he would flourish and grow. Finally, we pray for physical strength and stamina for Judy to care for the children in her home. Sustain her and give her joy in you.

Father, we are grateful that you are a God who waits to show us mercy. So we pray that you would give us hearts to receive your word that guides us to Jesus, that we may take delight in him even as you delight in him.

O Lord, from your throne in the heavens, would you work mightily in this world for the glory of your name and the joy of all peoples, through Jesus Christ, amen.