And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” Romans 8:38-39, NLT
Recognizing the effects of fear and anxiety in our lives, we look at the world and ask, “Where is God?” More and more situations provoke our worry and wreak havoc on our societies – terrorism, wars and conflicts, natural disasters, persecution, crime and violence, economic uncertainty, unemployment, divisions, illness, death, bereavement, and even social media encounters can trigger fear in us, bringing debilitating anxiety for some and daily worry for many.
As Americans across the USA face the final days of a close presidential race, we pray that the result might bring hope and promise for the country both at home and abroad.
Lord, comfort and protect us in the shroud of your loving arms.
As severe droughts continue in countries around the world including India, Brazil, Puerto Rico, North Korea, and the USA, we pray for farmers, crops, and cattle, for those who thirst and for those who work tirelessly to bring life-giving water to suffering communities.
Lord, comfort and protect us in the shroud of your loving arms.
In the aftermath of a fatal bus crash in Baltimore, USA and the fatal shooting of two police officers in Iowa, USA, we pray that the families of those lost may be comforted by the memories of their loved ones and by your loving presence.
Lord, comfort and protect us in the shroud of your loving arms.
As the death toll in the dispute over the Kashmir region between Pakistan and India reaches nineteen, we pray that tensions can be quashed and a peaceful negotiation can ensue before more lives are disrupted and lost.
Lord, comfort and protect us in the shroud of your loving arms.
In the wake of another earthquake that rocked central Italy, we pray for those injured and the thousands left homeless, especially those still struggling to rebuild from previous quakes, and for the emergency services personnel who are already stretched thin but are working hard to cope with the aftermath of the quake and continuing aftershocks.
Lord, comfort and protect us in the shroud of your loving arms.
As the last shelters of “The Jungle” in Calais, France, are dismantled, we pray that the migrants, many of whom are children, will be accommodated and find a safe, welcoming, and warm place to live.
Lord, comfort and protect us in the shroud of your loving arms.
As millions of displaced people continue to struggle in the wake of Boko Haram’s violence in Nigeria, we pray for the vulnerable women and girls who escaped from the violence of the Boko Haram camps only to be sexually abused by Nigerian officials in camps set up to protect them.
Lord, comfort and protect us in the shroud of your loving arms.
As men and women around the world risk their lives daily working in dangerous environments and conditions, we pray for the families of the miners in China who died in a gas explosion.
Lord, comfort and protect us in the shroud of your loving arms.
We ask you, Lord, to rid us of our anxieties and help us to cast our fears aside. Let the dark shadows of our souls be borne into your perpetual light, so that we might walk with the courage of your holy guidance and spirit. Amen.
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