The prayer this week is based on Psalm 103:1-8
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless God’s holy name.
Sometimes when I look at the world around me,
or when I look within my home and heart,
I am overwhelmed with grief, fear and anxiety.
It can be hard, Holy One,
hard to remember to be grateful,
for your presence in my life,
for the loving community around the world who seek you,
and for the blessing of life lived with you.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and do not forget all God’s benefits—
who forgives all your iniquity,
Heal us, Great Redeemer,
from our warring ways
in Ukraine, Sudan, and so many other places,
and as we hear of hundreds of migrants being killed by border guards in Saudi Arabia.
who heals all your diseases,
God, we are grateful for the discovery, by researchers in Spain,
of a naturally occurring strain of bacteria
that can help stop the spread of malaria.
who redeems your life from the Pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good as long as you live
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord works vindication
and justice for all who are oppressed.
Supplier of All Our Needs,
we lift before you the millions of hungry people in the Democratic Republic of Congo;
those women and girls in all parts of the world whose lives are marred by domestic violence;
those who are treated as property, trafficked, and enslaved.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Open our eyes,
that we might see your presence.
Open our ears,
that we might hear your call.
Open our hearts,
that we might love others as you have loved us.
Open our hands,
that we might serve as Jesus instructed us to serve.
Merciful and Gracious God,
may we live in the joy of your steadfast love,
today, and always.
Amen
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