“I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Dear God,
Our world is changing in ways that we never imagined. We are in need of your unwavering love. We live in a world which holds so much pain and need – need for hope, peace, expressed love, justice and heartfelt understanding. Comfort us. Strengthen us. God, our world might be changing, but you are changeless. You remain with us. Help us to find new ways to live and to love acknowledging our diversity and honoring differences.
God, relationships seem to be everchanging. When things fall apart, we ask that you bind us up, heal our spiritual brokenness and pain. We know, Lord, that you are a part of all of us, and so we know that you deeply care for all of our relations. Whether connections with family, friends, work mates and neighbors or in our expanding interactions around the world we ask that you bring your peace to one and many. We pray for the liaisons between China and the United States as tensions continue to rise. May peace always prevail and may conversations be stateswoman-like and more fruitful. We ask that you be with those in the United Kingdom and countries within the European Union as the economy is being affected and so many are already in need of help. We also pray for relationships that spiral into violence. We ask for your healing presence for those in Nigeria where anti-police violence protests continue. As demonstrators have been horribly wounded in Lagos, we pray that somehow all of your dear people might be protected and comforted.
We need your help, Lord, with our relationships. We are so grateful that although our human relationships might be shaken or fall severely apart at times, we know your spirit is woven into every part of our lives.
God, as new forest fires in Colorado destroy homes and force hundreds of people to evacuate, and fires are burning in Utah, United States we ask for your comfort. We ask that peace and safety be rendered to those who are suffering from natural and man made disasters throughout the world. Shore up the essential workers, firefighters and logistics teams that work day and night in great peril. Guard those who steward and safeguard parks, wetlands, preserves, great rivers and watersheds.
God, we are in need of your constant and abiding presence as we see Covid-19 cases and deaths sweep upward. With over 40 million cases worldwide, we are weary of knowing how best to help neighbors and distant kin. As we sort through ways in the UK, France, Spain, and Italy and around the world on how to disrupt the spread of this virus, help us to bear witness that your love encourages and strengthens. Although we are in deep need of change in this world guide us to find ways to protect our dear people. We ask for your cooling breath to come upon us all. May your shining presence always be there even as we forget that “yes!” you are always alongside us.
We pray for critical watch and diplomatic action as cyber attacks by Iran have targeted countries in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as hundreds of individuals and entities in 30 additional countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. Guide us as we negotiate in this changing world.
God, sometimes it is so hard to not be dismayed and anxious and so we ask that you carry our fears and lift these burdens. Lead us God as we try to be spreaders of hope, peace, and understanding as we kindle new connections and rebuild old relationships. For your infinite love we are forever grateful.
In your name we pray.
Amen.
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