When Jesus said, ‘I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly’ (John 10 : 10), I do not think He was speaking only of spiritual life – I think He meant us to have positive delight in all the good things in this wonderful world which his […]
May Your Kingdom Come: A Prayer After Typhoon Haiyan and US Tornadoes (December 3, 2013)
For in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16 (NRSV) Creating God, you spoke and the world came to be. Through your Word, life began. Your living word continues […]
God of Many Names: A Prayer for Ancient Hatreds, Burning Churches, and New Hungers (November 25, 2013)
“God of many Names,” we sing in our hymnbook. Holy God, we come to you from many places with many needs, calling upon you by many names depending on our needs. When all around us is injustice and oppression, we need you as Judge. When all is broken and shattered, we need you as Reconciler […]
The World Is a Needy Place: Prayers for Cook Stoves, Girls, and Central Africa (November 7, 2013)
Creative and guiding spirit, We bring this prayer with particular remembrance that, just as we shall always have the poor among us, so it is also our work to notice and to help. We pray earnestly for the strength of vision and of mind to respond thoughtfully to needs throughout the world, such as: –The […]
May Your Footsteps Show: A Prayer for Migrants Lost in the Niger Desert (October 31, 2013)
Creator God, by your word and in your power, you have created us and our world. As we learn more of you, so we come to realize how powerful is your word. In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show. Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me. (John L. Bell […]
Rublev: A Prayer Poem on the Colors of Our Bruises and One Shared Table (October 24, 2013)
Rublev One day, God walked in, pale from the grey steppe, slit-eyed against the wind, and stopped, said, Color me, breathe your blood into my mouth. I said, Here is the blood of all our people, these are their bruises, blue and purple, gold, brown, and pale green wash of death. These (god) are the chromatic pains of flesh, I […]
Your Word Is a Lamp: An Interfaith Prayer for Peace in Forgotten Wars (October 17, 2013)
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” – Psalm 119:105 Loving God of light and goodness and grace and peace; by whatever name you are known we give you thanks. With people of faith around the world we proclaim you and seek common ways to worship and serve […]
Be Merciful to Us: A Prayer After the Westgate Siege and Peshawar Bombing (September 26, 2013)
God of Heaven and Earth, Creator of all that is, seen and unseen, whom angels worship and adore, be merciful to us and hear us. Lord Jesus Christ, who came to earth to be with us and share in our suffering, be merciful to us and hear us. Holy Spirit, who dwells within us even […]
Our Father: A Lord’s Prayer for the Navy Yard Shooting, Marikana, and Overcrowded Prisons (September 19, 2013)
Our Father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: –feed the hungry –nourish the poor in spirit –provide clean water –assign meaningful tasks and living wages –sustain our fields and farmers during this […]
Grant Wisdom, Grant Courage: A Prayer for Floods, Wildfires, and Maaloula (September 12, 2013)
Creator God we praise you for the changing of the seasons, for those areas of the Northern hemisphere where harvest is in progress or already complete; for those areas of the Southern hemisphere where the seedtime approaches and happens. The glory of the world wraps around us and we revel in the warmth and sunshine. […]