August 2021 - Prayers

Hello, Children of God!

At this moment, I am sitting in my office, on a Friday night, for my fifth attempt at writing you this note and passing these VERY important prayers onto your eyes, hands, hearts, and maybe if you are an old school prayer... your knees.

Although today was set aside to get some of these critical tasks taken care of, other essential things also came up. First, I needed to check on someone on the street. Success! We lifted up prayers, exchanged smiles and hugs, and offered fresh snacks.

AND THEN... while emerging from under the bridge, I stepped in a large pile of dog doo-doo (while wearing flip flops). No, this wasn't a tiny pile, and yes, it did ooze up onto my foot. Gross! OK- I will spare you the rest. :) I laughed loudly because, really, what was the alternative? Complain that I had to maneuver not getting it all over my nice car as I go back to my house and clean it off while having access to fresh water, clean clothes, transportation, and hygiene products. Yep, I can't complain. I CAN, however, watch where I am walking. Sometimes, this is what ministry looks like. It is MESSY!

AND ALSO... it is lovely. A couple of hours later Harriet texted and asked if I had time to take our Lay Leader, Cindy, out for lunch. I dropped what I was doing because she had just gotten out of quarantine and could really use a beautiful lunch and some showering her with love and gifts. Happy Birthday, Cindy!

AND MAYBE... this is what your life looks like too, both messy and lovely all at the same time. This is life. As you pray for the folks of Church on the Street today, please pray for an equal amount of both. Balance is all most people ask for. The balance would be welcome. Let us pray for that together. And don't forget to watch where you walk. :)

May the Lord Bless you and keep you,
Pastor Rebel

Please lift these prayer requests, given to us with the great trust and hope of a promise, that God answers prayers.

We give thanks for answered prayers for Kelly, Victor, Catherine, Vicki, Caroline, and Duayne for their new places to call home. We give thanks for the sobriety of Dustin and Preston. We give thanks for the community that is Church on the Street.

Denise: Please pray for my daughter who is having to help make life and death decisions in the medical/transplant world.

Shane and Jesse: Please pray for us as we just got kicked out of Motel 6 b/c they sold the building. We had been living there a while. We are both working, but it is hard to afford rent here. We raised our grandkids too and our 18yr old is now out on her own and has a good job at Walmart and good roommates. Please pray for her to be stronger than us.

Please pray for Royce in jail.

Emmanuel- I wish I could get off the streets and renew my green card. Amen

Larry - Prayer for Paul during his time of transition from 17 years in prison to life outside prison walls as he pursues homeownership. Give him the patience to achieve his dream. 

Bella- I need a new life other than drinking. Please pray for my whole family that I will someday be worth something.

Audrey- Please pray for kids, Kate, Mya, my friends.

Kelly: My manic self is not doing well. I am so up and will come down soon. 

Preston- Prayer for “no breaks”. In faith, in passion, in drive, in knowing, in understanding, in growth, in development, in oneness, in unity, in purity, in a righteous decision, in God, flowing according to his will and purpose using all perfectly in his plan, in grace, in mercy, in blessing, in abundance, in the gifts of our Father, in drive, in support, in family, in all things good and prosperous according to the Body of God.

Please pray for my sister Sophia-kidneys failing, iron count, and cancer.

Anonymous - Pray for my family and for us to find a place to live. Right now we live in a motel.

Cody- Prayer for avoiding Lust, Pride, Anger, and for Danella Enquiez Varela, Audrey Hall, Laila WoundedShield.

Vicki- Please pray for strength-got a new place this week. My partner has a lot of health needs. My son is out of incarceration and I want him to stay on the straight and narrow.

Widisti- Please pray for Louisa. She is 16 and in treatment for drugs and alcohol. I pray this helps.

Tosha- Please pray for ex-husband Daniel who is actively using and Larry that I am in a relationship with and he has been free from drugs and alcohol for 15 years. Prayer for my meth addiction recovery.

Jillian - Prayer for spiritual love, kindness, and patience.

William - Please pray for Jeremy and Kurt for patience, kindness, goodness, and to ease the burden that is hard. And wisdom and relaxation so I don’t stress out. And determination.

Beau- Please pray for my family and son that they are ok.

Marlee Little Bald Eagle- Please pray for me to get a place so my son can come to be back in my care! And for me to be motivated in my daily routine. And for my family. And for me to be strong while living at the Bishop Dudley.

Edna - Please pray for strength and guidance. I want to live the way God wants me to live, spiritually strong, been sober for a whole lot. 

Victoria - Lease pray for me to be able to budget all my monthly financial needs in a better way.

Ryan- Prayer to be a better husband, be a better father, be more patient, compassionate, and gentle. Make a difference in other's life. Help others know Jesus more.

Kayla- Prayer for me to find a balance between my relationship with God, my family, and my work. 

Prayer for our country and the future of our country.  All those who are battling. Pray for my future and longing for a husband. Pray for those battling mental illness.

Thomas- For God to continue to heal me.

Donald and Kristie- Donald is recovering from a GI bleed. He has been out of work for 4 weeks. (God sees us through, we are financially ok) Praise God! Pray for healing and for his body to make red blood cells. Thank you! Kristie for a brighter future ahead. Depression and anxiety are bad. Happiness is received. Thank you!

Apei- My health is in need and also getting a job. I am currently on parole. Prayer also for my country's peace. Thanks to God

Heather- Prayer for students, parents, teachers, and school staff.

Steve - Thanks for a family home, music. Prayer for health and health tests.

Beth- Prayer for patience in spending time with my mom who has dementia.

Rachael - Prayer for the people I have had the opportunity to cross paths within my time here in Sioux Falls. Watch over and protect them and keep them warm and strong.

Victor - Prayer for my health problems to get better and for me to get stronger and have a better attitude about any and all that is going on. Thank you.

Jen and Will - prayer for our family, for a healthy baby on the way. Will’s uncle passed away. Pray for us to get down there safe and come back safe and for us to get through a hard time. But we know he is with God. Pray for us to be light to a dark world and to be the hands and feet of God. Thanks

Katline - Justin to get his life straight and through this rough time that God helps him through his addiction and hope he does the right thing.

Dug - Prayer for the people of Afghanistan

Prayer for peace and healing for our world. Help us to be one in Christ.

Geraldine - Pray for my brother Leonard, he has Parkinson’s, sometimes he gets frustrated with himself.  Also, my niece and nephews are on alcohol and drugs.  I’m also having a lot of issues, but I put a smile on and help people in need, don’t think of my needs, cause I am rich. I have a place to live, food, clothes, that’s all I need. God provides all my needs. Thank you for the prayers, sometimes I feel like I’m not listened to.

Linda - Prayer for the homeless and them struggling with addictions. May the good Lord keep them safe and give them the sight and strength to get them out of their situation. Amen

I pray that all of us who received the “Lord’s Supper” know that our soul is immortal.

Please pray for all the homeless men that live in the park or outside in other places.

Jeremy - Prayer for joy to keep coming. Pray for my family to get his life together. Pray for the world to have wisdom.

Arlene - Thank God for healing my sister Doris. Prayer for my grandchildren attending school.

Please pray for my sister, Kelli. She is an addict and is very unhealthy, not eating, doctoring, etc. Pray for her mental health as well.

Crystal - Prayers that my leg starts healing the correct way. The gunshot that happened to me on Fathers Day 6-20-21 isn’t healing and the doctor is worried about me. Thank you. Also, I have a biopsy after finding something in my mamogram next week. Please pray it is not cancer. 

Mike- Prayer for mom, dad, brothers, sisters

Will - Prayer for myself. I got into a bad bicycle accident. I cannot remember who I am. My face got torn off. I hurt so bad. Who am I? I stay at the Bishop Dudley. I am so ugly. I used to be a handsome man and now I am so ugly. Who am I? Help me. Hold On Pain Ends

Zach - Dear God, please help all of the people who have covid. Please help the homeless to know you.

A.J. - Prayer for kids starting school and anxieties that go with that transition.

Terry - Better health, homelessness, addictions…

Debbie - Prayer for a healthy journey

David - Clarity on my future

Emmanuel - I pray for everyone on the planet earth to stop hating and killing each other. I pray everyone that who is homeless make it out one day. I pray my life will change one day. Amen

Jeff - Prayer for our grandchild soon to be born, for a safe birth and a joy-filled beginning to family life.

Prayer for cadets at West Point. MC & DC who suffer from medical conditions. Good School year for all who work and attend school.

Pastor Chris - Prayers of thanksgiving for COTS. You are the light of Christ in our community.

Arlene - Prayer for Cam-illness, George-cancer, family-peace

Verita - I stay at the Dudley shelter. I am looking for an apartment. I already filled out 5 applications. It has to go by my income. Thank you

Lisa - my sister Krista who is struggling with cancer, lives in Montana.

Joyce - Prayer for Bradley, myself, grandkids

Prayer for a failing marriage.

We ask for prayers for Carolyn Goldammer as she has lost her beloved Al. 

We also ask from prayer for Paula as she copes with a new diagnosis and needs strength.

Please pray for the staff of Church on the Street. We give thanks for all the regular volunteers, prayer warriors, and partners.

These prayers are heavy and hold many deep needs. We lift these prayers to you, Oh Lord. We vow to walk with your children in these times of hardship and diversity.

Lord, In Your mercy, Hear our prayers.