Divine Presence, right now, those living in the United States are in the exhausted wake of post-election frenzy. Rejoicing at wins and deflated by losses, enable us to regroup to continue the relentless work of securing freedom and justice for all. Stem the growth of white supremacy and hate crimes and transform the hearts of those who feel threatened by difference.
Holy One, right now, anti-government protests continue in Iran, where local human rights activists report 328 have been killed and more than 14,000 others have been detained, including children. Witnesses report the detained are being tortured. The captives are brave, though bleeding; the pain they witness is as harsh as the pain they suffer. Dull the edge of the captor’s bloodlust; sharpen the resolve of the righteous; create a place where suffering is subdued and human rights are restored.
Spirit of the Living God, right now farmers in West Africa walk their flooded fields looking for salvageable soggy stems from acres of crops. Both floods and drought have left millions facing famine, while right now tables overflow in other regions of the world. Compel us to finetune and expand our systems of providing food and clean water to all those in need. Tame the turbulence in the tummies of children who cannot sleep for needing nourishment.
Peace-Creator, right now the war against Ukraine continues, even as United Nations officials plan to meet with a Russian delegation in Geneva (Switzerland) to discuss a plan to smooth shipments of Russian grain and fertilizers to global markets. Guide their conversation into paths of compromise so that the hungry will have food and the fearful living through the war will be encouraged by their progress.
God of all people, right now, candles are being lit in Jewish homes in remembrance of Kristallnacht, the night of broken glass, when Nazi leaders organized the destruction of Jewish-owned businesses, synagogues, and homes and 30,000 Jewish males were taken to concentration camps. In countries all over the world, people are becoming aware that the worst of history will repeat itself if humanity ceases to care for one another and do the work of standing together against evil. Disturb us with the truth of history such that our individual and collective desire to conquer evil is stronger than our fear and apathy.
Great Love, right now teachers are discovering the effects of the pandemic on their students and redesigning lessons to teach into the gaps of learning. And right now, students are struggling to stay on task, to connect concepts, and to learn despite the pressures that surround them. Gather them into your calm and visit them with wisdom, hope, and joy as together they tackle the tricky tasks of teaching and learning.
Merciful One, life here on earth is heartbreaking and volatile. Remind us to take notice of the beauty that surrounds us even as we work to heal and hold fast to your promise to be with us, to renew us, and to reconcile what IS with the hope of what can be. Right now, may we breathe in that which brings life and expel that which leads to death. Right now, may love move us, protect us, and keep us. Right now may the weary find rest, the forgotten be remembered, and the suffering be stilled. We pray in the name of the One who is with us through whatever we are living into, right now.
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