God you are light. Your light reflects within us and shines forth as we connect with one another in your Love moving through us, shining forth.
All around the world we hear children in all languages sing of this light…
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine….
Let it shine all over…
All over Africa
- Over the hungry in Egypt as the cost of daily bread soars due to the war in Ukraine.
- Over the grieving, in Somalia after a deadly suicide bombing and the Nigerian father who lost four of his children in a boating accident.
- Over those in fear in Zimbabwe where a new government has been elected, but true change from corrupt ways feels far.
- Over the brave pro-democracy protesters weekly in Sudan, many of them women who face threats of violence and gang rape.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine….
Let it shine all over…
All over North America
- Over those grieving and recovering in the aftermath of tornadoes in the United States.
- Over the people of Nicaragua as the opposition leader of current President Ortega is jailed for eight years.
- Over the people of Jamaica as they remember their history during a visit from British Royalty who apologized and expressed “profound sorrow” for the UK’s role in slavery on the island.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine….
Let it shine all over…
All over South America
- Over those grieving and affected by mudslides in Brazil that killed 90, with many missing.
- Over the relieved parents of two boys, ages eight and six, who we found in the Brazilian Amazon nearly four weeks after getting lost while chasing small birds.
- Over a peaceful transition of power and election in Colombia.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine….
Let it shine all over…
All over Asia
- Over those shocked and mourning their loved ones who died in the China plane crash.
- Over girls who just want to learn in Afghanistan where the Taliban closed their schools after just one month of being open.
- Over those in power as North Korea tested a banned intercontinental missile.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine….
Let it shine all over…
All over Oceanian
- Over those in Australia who are cleaning up and recovering from historic and deadly flooding.
- Over those calling for justice, aboriginal people from the Tiwi Islands who are suing South Korea to stop a deep-sea pipeline that would harm wildlife and disrupt their traditional way of life.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine….
Let it shine all over…
All over Antarctica
- Over all life as heat waves hit the Arctic and Antarctica this week with temperatures 50 degrees higher than average.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine….
Let it shine all over…
All over Europe
- Over the people for Ukraine, one month into the horrors of war. For those still in the country and those now as refugees. May they feel the Light of your comfort, your peace, your constant presence within agony.
- Over the NATO leaders meeting to discuss support for Ukraine, we pray for wisdom.
- Over Russians who ache to see what their government is doing and who are directly feeling the effects on their lives as they are silenced and economically stretched.
- Over Validiar Putin, may his heart be transformed.
- Over those across Ukraine, Russia, Europe and the world who are saying NO to hate and violence through incredible creative acts of courage and love.
With you, transforming God, your light within us is not so little but a powerful force of healing.
May the candle flame of light within each living thing be nurtured, uncovered, liberated to burn as brightly as you create for us, as our hurting and beautiful world needs.
This powerful Light, may it shine, may it shine, may it shine.
Amen.
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