SCRIPTURE. REFLECTION. PRAYER FOR OUR CITY.
Let’s pray
for Memphis.
join us in lifting up the city we love, block by block.
THE PRAYER JOURNAL
Prayers for Memphis
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Summer Programs
God presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the “gods”: 2 “How long will you[a] defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?[b]3 Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. – Psalm 82:1-4 Summer break is drawing…
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God presides in the great assembly;
he renders judgment among the “gods”:2 “How long will you[a] defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?[b]
3 Defend the weak and the fatherless;
uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
4 Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked. – Psalm 82:1-4Summer break is drawing near. Some schools are out in two weeks. Tonight, we thank those entities and organizations providing structure for our kids that may not have it otherwise. May they be places of growth and safety.
One example that has stood the test of time is The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Memphis. Here is some info from their website:
When School is Out, The Clubs are In!
Every day, more than 1,400 Memphis kids make their way to one of ten Boys & Girls Clubs around the city. Once they step through the doors, our caring, professional adults engage each member in fun, learning enriched programs that help them achieve their full potential. We truly believe #GreatFutures Start here.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis serve:
- Any child from age 6-18. Membership costs $10 per year. No child is ever turned away
- Job-seeking students ages 16-24 through the Juice Plus+ Technical Training Center
- Our Clubs serve more than 4500 youth
Our Clubs are located in areas of the city that have high concentrations of “at-risk” kids. We have three clubs located within the 240 loop; Juice Plus+ Technical Training Center, located on Walker Ave. in South Memphis, Ira Samelson Club, located off Summer and Highland in the Grahamwood area and John Dustin Buckman Club, located in north Memphis off Vollintine. We also have three Clubs located outside the 240 loop; Oakhaven Club located in South Memphis off Airways and Tchulahoma, Bernal Smith Club located in the Hickory Hill neighborhood and Sycamore View Club, which is north east off Sycamore View Road. We also are fortunate to have Clubs located in school facilities at Promise Academy -Spring Hill, Promise Academy-Hollywood, Cummings Elementary and Craigmont High School.
The local organization has been around for 56 years and needs the community’s support. They provide positive experiences and pathways for our kids.
Tonight Lord, we lift up The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis. We pray that the facilities are ready for the activity of the summer. We pray for excited staff trained in raising up solid young people. We pray for CEO Keith Blanchard and his team, that they remain focused on the positive impact their work does in the community. We pray for the funders of the organization, that they bless the community and the participants through their giving and the opportunities coming from BGCM.
Lord, may parents be encouraged by the staff of these clubs. May children thrive in these settings. May the meals be nourishing. May friendships be made and life lessons be learned. Lord, bless those workers who seek to be a positive influence on children. We thank you for those giving of themselves to love on all of Your children.
In Christ’s name, amen.
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Mourning Steve Pearl
Steve Pearl served Christ Church faithfully for 27 years. He was a welcoming presence to families at drop-off and pick up and steadfast in his work as Head of Maintenance for the church. I shouldn’t be writing a memorial today of Steve Pearl. He was a known acquaintance and child of God. He went home…
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Steve Pearl served Christ Church faithfully for 27 years. He was a welcoming presence to families at drop-off and pick up and steadfast in his work as Head of Maintenance for the church. I shouldn’t be writing a memorial today of Steve Pearl. He was a known acquaintance and child of God. He went home today to be with the Lord. He was beaten at 6 am outside of his home on Saturday morning and succumbed to his injuries. No suspects have been caught.
Psalm 79 captures my struggle today. Many of us that knew Steve or knew who he was had a similar relationship with Liza Fletcher. This is the second innocent person killed that we know in less than a year and we’re sad, angry, fearful, and searching for answers. We ask for justice in a fallen world and pray for Christ’s healing presence in our city. Raise up a bold people to defeat the adversary. Forgive us of our sins and gird us for battle against darkness. Maranatha Father! We cry out to Your Holy Name.
Lord, comfort those mourning Steve’s passing. Remind them of Your promise for those who love You. Lord, bring the killers to justice. Bless the detectives and others providing evidence. Protect them. We pray for the right heart, one that does not seek vengeance in the downfall of man and also prays for redemption. Guard our hearts and minds in these fragile moments. May the murder of Steve Pearl be the last one in our city. Redeem this land and the people in it. In Your Name, Amen.
Psalm 79
A psalm of Asaph.
1 O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple,
they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
2 They have left the dead bodies of your servants
as food for the birds of the sky,
the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.
3 They have poured out blood like water
all around Jerusalem,
and there is no one to bury the dead.
4 We are objects of contempt to our neighbors,
of scorn and derision to those around us.5 How long, Lord? Will you be angry forever?
How long will your jealousy burn like fire?
6 Pour out your wrath on the nations
that do not acknowledge you,
on the kingdoms
that do not call on your name;
7 for they have devoured Jacob
and devastated his homeland.8 Do not hold against us the sins of past generations;
may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
for we are in desperate need.
9 Help us, God our Savior,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
for your name’s sake.
10 Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”Before our eyes, make known among the nations
that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.
11 May the groans of the prisoners come before you;
with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die.
12 Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times
the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord.
13 Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will praise you forever;
from generation to generation
we will proclaim your praise. -
Jehovah Jireh
You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly.The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it.[d]10 You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops.11 You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. –…
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You care for the land and water it;
you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water
to provide the people with grain,
for so you have ordained it.[d]
10 You drench its furrows and level its ridges;
you soften it with showers and bless its crops.
11 You crown the year with your bounty,
and your carts overflow with abundance. – Psalm 65:9-11The banks have been in the news lately. Large, notable banks have failed. Other banks have been sold for pennies. Large regional banks are losing significant value in the stock market. In Memphis, the First Horizon sale was called off today.
Communities need healthy banks. They facilitate commerce. They connect the community. They provide value for businesses and individuals, are typically active in the community, and, on their best days, fund opportunity.
Memphis is fortunate to have a strong banking legacy. Lots of wealth has been created through local institutions. For situations like First Horizon, many people beyond the C-Suite would have benefited greatly from the TD sale. Whereas retirement or extra giving was within reach, the past several weeks have crimped those plans.
Tonight, Lord, we lift up the local banking industry, that You guide decision making, not just in times of turbulence but at all times. We pray for the local banks to be blessings to the city, to seek ways to enhance our community. Lord, may our banks be service-first institutions and protectors of wealth.
Lord, watch over the employees of First Horizon, Regions, Trustmark, Simmons, Truist, 5/3, First Bank, Pinnacle, Cadence, Guaranty, Renasant, BankPlus, Paragon, Bank3, First Commercial, Chase, Wells Fargo, Chase, Independent, and other banks not mentioned, that they may feel Your peace as they go to work tomorrow. Lord, may the employees of the institutions seek You first, and use their roles in a bank to shine Your light and further Your kingdom.
For First Horizon, though disappointing to some, and a relief to others, may their path forward bear fruit for the kingdom. In Christ’s name, Amen.
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Do Not Grow Weary
“9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 Lord, it is easy to be discouraged when death and violence seem ever present, even in safe spaces. Shootings yesterday on Beale St and in the Huey’s parking lot…
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“9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
Lord, it is easy to be discouraged when death and violence seem ever present, even in safe spaces. Shootings yesterday on Beale St and in the Huey’s parking lot stoke the fear. Thankfully, no one died from those, but news of other shootings in Frayser and Whitehaven continue. Lord, how do we reach the lost? How do we cool the anger? How do we raise up a city where we love one another and seek to build up our neighbor?
Tonight, we lift up our community of believers to you. We lift up the two or three gathering together to pray for their neighborhoods and their community. We pray that you bless them, hear their prayers, protect them in their daily lives, and empower them to live and proclaim boldly their faith in Jesus.
Lord, we can’t turn this city around without you. You must be present. Lord, show up in a big way. Let Memphis be a center for revival and an example of how lives can be transformed when You come into a place. In Your name, Amen.
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Knowledge Quest
1 Praise the Lord.[b] Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands. 2 Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.3 Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever.4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and…
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1 Praise the Lord.[b]
Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
who find great delight in his commands.2 Their children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures forever.
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
who conduct their affairs with justice.6 Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
they will be remembered forever.
7 They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
8 Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
9 They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor,
their righteousness endures forever;
their horn[c] will be lifted high in honor.10 The wicked will see and be vexed,
they will gnash their teeth and waste away;
the longings of the wicked will come to nothingMemphis has a welcoming heart. Because of our recognition of our own brokenness, we cheerlead, encourage, and support people working to change our city for the better. I heard about Knowledge Quest in South Memphis and the work they do soon after I arrived. Though I’ve never met Marlon Foster, I hope to one day. I’ve included some information from their website about the organization following the prayer.
Lord, tonight we lift up Knowledge Quest and the work being done through that organization. We call for hope, perseverance, funding, and blessing upon our neighbors working as staff an volunteers. We pray for wisdom for the leadership and board of directors in guiding the continuing work of Knowledge Quest. We pray for successful bounty at Green Leaf Learning Farm and improving relationships with our food. Lord, we lift up the Best Buy Teen Tech Center, Extended Learning Academy, and Early Childhood Academy. We pray that lives are transformed by the exposure, mentorship, and coaching in these different programs. We thank you for the community partners and donors supporting these vital works.
Lord, bless the righteous. May Knowledge Quest continue to shine forth Your light in Memphis. Amen.
https://www.knowledgequest.org/
Serving the community since 1998, Knowledge Quest responds to the needs of the community through helping to stabilize homes, providing access to health, and by making the clear path to opportunities for families. Engaging the whole family is a priority at Knowledge Quest and we have developed a variety of programs offering targeted assistance to Memphians including our Extended Learning Academies, Green Leaf Learning Farm, and Family Stability Centers.
Vision: To transform lives by expanding minds
Mission: To vigorously equip youth and their families to maximize their potential through education, wellness and economic stability.
Marlon Foster Bio:
Founded Knowledge Quest in 1995 immediately after college, with its official opening taking place in 1998. He has performed nonprofit administration and fundraising duties in a professional capacity for over fifteen years. During his youth, Mr. Foster tragically loss his best friend due to street violence. After this tragedy Reverend Foster decided to abandon his corporate aspirations and divested himself in the development of urban children within the community he was raised in—the South Memphis area. In 2005, Reverend Foster founded Christ Quest Community Church, a non-denominational Christian church rooted in social justice and evangelism. Today, Mr. Foster continues to live, work and worship in the South Memphis community and continues to dedicate his life to build the community and the people within it.