Restock the Pantry

• Near homeless – living in cars or sleeping on couches of friends/family
• Homeless

Pray with us:

O God of Mercy:

We hear the persistent call to feed the hungry and find shelter for the homeless. Stir our hearts to move more deeply in our walk with Jesus.

Help us answer the question, “Why do we feel comfortable living beyond our needs when others do not have their basic needs met?”

Help us not be hypocrites of lip service but disciples of action.

Keep our hearts soft enough to keep hearing the cry of the hungry and the homeless. Amen.

Prayer by Fr. Donald R. Wester

• Those suffering sudden loss of income due to COVID
• Those suffering sudden loss of income because of layoffs/government shutdowns
• Two-income families where one of the incomes has been lost creating a financial difficulty
• Those in need of financial assistance for rent, utilities, car payments, etc

Pray with us:

O God of Mercy,

We lift up those who are facing financial difficulties. Those who have lost their livelihoods during the pandemic. Those who are struggling to provide for their families. You promise to provide for us. Lord, calm our worrisome minds. You care for and feed the birds in the air and clothe the lilies of the field and you care so deeply for us (Matthew 6:26). Help us to put our trust in you and where we can, to be your hands and feet, to give to others who are in need. Remind us that every good thing and blessing we have come from you. Help us to bless others in need.

Before COVID hit and shut down the pantry, GraceWorks saw a lot of Arabic people coming from Antioch.

Because of GraceWorks gracious thresholds for those to access their services, we are able to help this population that does not have as many options.

Pray with us:

• Unexpected family illnesses that can lead to home and/or food insecurity or financial difficulties
• Those needing medical assistance –people who need glasses or dental care but can’t afford it can get a voucher from GraceWorks

Pray with us:

Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve those who are ill and physically injured, and give thy power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that those for whom our prayers are offered may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in thy loving care. Give those who face unexpected diagnoses and medical issues peaceful hearts and minds in the midst of chaos and provide for them the provisions they need to seek healing and help. This we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer from Groveville UMC

Sadly we often have elderly who have been abandoned by their families.

GraceWorks often has people who get food or assistance for a neighbor who is unable to do so because of transportation issues, medical or mental issues. "I’m always amazed by these people because often they have their own difficulties to manage and yet they are thinking of others."

GraceWorks is experiencing more need for food and feel that the increase is directly connected to the quality and quantity of the food we give to our neighbors. When making an over the phone appointment for food pick-up for two elderly female neighbors, we learned that they lived in Summertown, over 1-hour commute, and they would spend the night at each other’s house the night before their appointment to carpool together to GraceWorks. Another neighbor drove from Lebanon, over 1-hour commute, to come and pick-up food. To even get to our facility they needed to borrow gas money from a family member to make their trip. What causes these individuals to go to great lengths for our food baskets? Several conclusions can be drawn from these scenarios. First, the neighbors need the food. Second, they do not have the adequate or similar services in their area. Third, again, GraceWorks provides quality food with an abundance in supply that makes a real difference in the neighbor’s day to day lives.

Pray with us:

Father, allow me to serve others with a joyful heart; never keeping score; always giving; never expecting to receive. Allow me to give of myself, to give of my talents and of my goods, to give of my time and of my energy, to give of my heart and of my soul. Help me understand the needs of others, never criticizing, never demeaning, never scolding, never condemning. You have been so gracious to me, always Loving, always forgiving, always restoring; never gloating over my defeats, even when I have been so wrong. Father, keep a condemning spirit Far from my heart and further from my lips. Allow me to serve others as You serve, with gentleness, compassion, and tenderness, never diminishing the worth of another, choosing to extend mercy to the brokenhearted, like You have repeatedly shown it to me. Lord I give thanks for those folks around me that continuously search for those in need of help. Help me to be like them, like Jesus. Amen.

Prayer by Jack Watts