Dear God,
For the people who make a difference, for the love and care that has been shown to each of us by individuals, by communities, by the entities that hold us and call us good, we show our gratitude to you as they are inspired by you alone, God.
For the challenges we face, for the days that feel so infinitely hard when even getting up seems an impossibility, we ask for your unending care to hold us as nothing has held us before.
For the joys in our lives that keep us going even when the open door looks bleak, we dance and smile a cheesy grin, even if only in the quiet of our hearts.
For the parts of our world that are aching and breaking apart, we pray for the wind of your love to cover your people. In particular, we lift up:
- Those affected by the bomb cyclone which is sweeping through the northwest United States and parts of Canada, leaving at least one person dead and around 750,000 without power across Washington state and British Columbia.
- The people of Ukraine as they mark 1,000 days of war. As the violence continues to take hold, we ask for your peace to finally come for your people.
- The 45 pro-democracy activists and lawmakers in Hong Kong who have been sentenced to years in jail for subversion after they planned to organize an unofficial primary for opposition candidates.
- Those affected by the Gaza humanitarian crisis after a convoy of 109 UN aid trucks carrying food was looted in Gaza and essential aid was not received.
- Those in Georgia‘s capital of Tbilisi who have clashed with demonstrators protesting against last month’s disputed election, which they say was stolen by the government.
- The people of Delhi, India, where a thick, visible blanket of smog has covered the city, shut down schools and prevented outdoor work as an increasing number of people go to the hospital reporting respiratory problems.
God, we know that there are many who are helping, praying, caring, and changing the lives of those affected by all of these crises, challenges, and changes in your people’s lives. We give thanks for first responders, aid workers, and community leaders, offering hope and assistance. May we be inspired too to make a difference, to challenge the status quo and to embody your expansive and indescribable love. While what we do may seem small, remind us that we are here to offer your love to others just as so many change-makers in our lives have done for us.
Grant us all comfort, relief, and justice as we try our best to be your hands and feet in the world as we embody your love.
Amen.
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