Welcoming God,
You make room for us, not because we have earned a place, but because your love is wider than our fear and your table has room for all. Remind us that our tables are not not intended to be closed and by invitation only, but are meant to be an open, expansive announcement for all people.
Make room in us and make room in the world.
We pray for Israelis and Palestinians, for families who continue to carry the wounds of three years of violence, displacement, and fear. We pray for all those who have been killed and those who continue to carry immense trauma from these years. God of peace, make room for a future where Israelis and Palestinians can live with security and peace.
Make room in us and make room in the world.
In the wake of renewed war and danger of regional escalation, we pray for the people of Ethiopia and Tigray. As your beloved children there worry about another war, give us an openness to your calm. When worry becomes so strong, give us hope that your table will still hold us in all our fears.
Make room in us and make room in the world.
When headlines fall away, and it seems that we are forgotten even in the midst of immense crisis, we ask that you be with your people. We particularly lift to you the people of South Sudan. We particularly lift to you the displaced children there. Remind them that they are not forgotten, and that even when they feel alone, they are covered in love.
Make room in us and make room in the world.
We give thanks for the countless acts of kindness in this world. For people working to restore polluted lakes in Kashmir; for the people of Rjukan, Norway, who are installing mirrors on mountainsides to bring sunlight in cold winter months; for kidney donors; for people helping rebuild after the floods in Nepal; and for people taking on difficult challenges to help others. We are so grateful for the many acts that never make a headline: for the people who show up, make meals, donate blood, welcome strangers, care for neighbors, and those who give their time simply because they know someone else needs it.
Make room in us and make room in the world.
God, continue to help us remember the people in places known and unknown to us. We continue to hold in prayer the people of Haiti, Myanmar, Yemen, and all the places where violence or disaster threaten communities. In places of great crisis, as well as places where beauty endures, where celebrations are held by individuals and communities, and where love continues to flourish. May our tables be that table, and may you help us to make the table wider.
Teach us to make room.
Make room for people known to us.
Make room for people unknown to us.
Make room for peace.
Make room for hope.
Make room for love.
Amen.