Living God, you are here with each and every one of your beloved creations across the world right now and always. You hurt when we hurt, you cry when we cry, and you rejoice when we rejoice. Let that comfort us, but also instill in us a desire for change; knowing we can and must partner with you in healing the world. Emmanuel, God with us, you showed us the way of love in Jesus Christ. Help us as we strive to love your Creation more fully.
Jesus, Bread of Life, too many of your people are hungry. Each day, human beings from babies to elders are dying of malnutrition in the Gaza Strip of Palestine. Hundreds more have been killed by Israeli forces as they try to reach aid stations for food. In Sudan, over 1/3 of the population lives with extreme hunger. In Haiti, where the combination of drought and rising food prices have led to widespread food insecurity. In Mali, where the people are on the brink of famine. Help us feed your children, O God.
Prince of Peace, we see violence and war around the globe. We lift up Israel, Palestine, Iran, Russia, Ukraine, Myanmar, Sudan, and all war-torn nations. We are grateful that a declaration of principles for a permanent ceasefire in eastern Congo has been signed, after ethnic tensions and the quest for rich minerals have resulted in thousands of lives lost this year. Help us bring about your peace, O God.
Christ, who flipped the tables of oppression, thank you for showing us how to create ethical spectacles to bring about change in our current circumstances. This week, videos surfaced on social media sites of a protest organized by Israeli teens who burned their IDF draft papers because they refuse to continue the war with Gaza. We pray for Togo, where protests continue after the election of Faure Gnassingbé, President of the Council of Ministers, who made reforms that removed term limits for the President and granted Parliament – not the people – the sole power to elect the President. And for Ukraine, where thousands protested in Kyiv on Tuesday because of legislation that tightens oversight of two key anti-corruption agencies. On Wednesday, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, met anti-corruption and security officials and promised the creation of a joint plan to fight corruption within two weeks. Help us turn the tables on all oppression, O God.
Redeemer, you taught us about new life. In a continuing conservation success story, the nation of Tuvalu has completed the eradication of invasive rats from 6 of its 124 islands. This project has significantly reduced the threat to native seabirds, coastal biodiversity, and island ecosystems. We celebrate that the United Kingdom environment ministry has announced a rapid phase out, leading to a total ban, on lead ammunition, which will protect water, birds, and communities. Help us to defend and redeem our environment, O God.
Everlasting God, give us the endurance to continue loving your world and your people more each day, doing all we can, with your help, to bring about your reign here on Earth. Amen.
Leave a Reply