For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:13-14
God, you cherish our mothers and children. Mother’s Day is celebrated in over fifty countries, some as the US on the second Sunday in May and others in the early spring. We are collected in gratitude around family tables, yet the news speaks of women being punished, tortured, humiliated and suppressed. They are trafficked and held in captivity. Some are mutilated. Their children are ripped away from them with little hope of ever seeing their babies again. Help us to understand why. Protect them. Protect our mothers and their children.
We are the temple of God.
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple
and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 1 Corinthians 3:16
Give us your wisdom and guidance to remove barriers between the sexes to provide equality and mutual respect. We need to feel safe. No one should live in fear of others, regardless of gender or sexual identity. Lead us into a state of harmony with one another. Let us teach one another about ethics and love. Let others express their individuality, especially as that individuality is of no harm to others. We desperately need to bring humanity back to the common ground of kindness and love. Help us dear Lord. Please help us.
We pray to you, Lord, to watch over all mothers who are sick and suffering. Comfort them and their families and loved ones. Help them through difficult times and struggles, Dear Lord. Please help them.
And God, bless all the women who have given so much to this world. Our holy saints are scientists, astronauts, pilots, artists, doctors, teachers, preachers, healers and tend and nourish in a thousand ways. We are grateful for their contributions to the world, thank you. Bless those people who are the nurturers and stewards of the land. Bless those who care for the animals and birds, our pets and the plants, forests and water.
As reported on National Public Radio (NPR) churches across the world are losing their members and financial stability. Many church communities are facing closure. Many communities no longer need and cannot afford to maintain the large and elaborate houses of worship where its congregants come to pray and socialize. Developers are anxious to acquire many of these urban churches to build housing. “Help us reimagine that facility as an asset to the community,” said one minister in California. They are looking for new ways to partnership with their neighbors. A new vision. Help our churches Dear Lord. Please help.
There are catastrophic events happening all over the world.
We pray for northern Italy as they experience “exceptional rains” in their otherwise drought-stricken parts of the country. At least 8 people have died. Lord, we beg your mercy.
Our prayers continue for Russia and Ukraine. According to CNN, today marks the 1st and only major pact made between the warring sides in an attempt to avert a global food crisis and potential global famine by allowing grain exports out of Ukraine ports blockaded by Russia. An agreement was extended for an additional two months. Lord, have mercy.
God, what needs to happen to stop the senseless killing and harming of humans by gun violence? The pain, despair and anger that fills the families of the injured and deceased is unfathomable. Lord, enlighten us. Please.
“Sounding the alarm,” global warming is estimated to reach a key 1.5C threshold for the first time in the next 5 years. This is a global average which means some parts of the world could see even higher thresholds. This is a critical warming threshold as reported by the World Meteorological Organization, Reuters news source. Lord, hear our concerns and govern over us so that we may respond to this crisis as a whole and make a difference for generations to come.
Lord God, you are our one and only true leader. We know that church and state may have separate paths. Instill in our world leaders the ability to experience hope and compassion. Help us to discern the truth. Almighty One, enjoin our politicians to a shared platform where lives are honored. We pray for a better future.
We thank you for the blessing of flowers as they bloom across the globe. May your holy Light shine upon us and give hope as it fills our hearts with love.
We are standing on holy ground, and I know that there are Angels all around.
Let us praise Jesus now, for we are standing in his presence on holy ground.*
Enfolded in Your grace and in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
*Song lyric, Standing on Holy Ground, Geron Davis
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