This has been one of those weeks, God…one of those weeks in which too many things have been happening- in my own life and in the lives of the rest of your children throughout the world. Here in the United States, we are reeling with not one, but two shootings of black men by police […]
Prayers for China
Weather and disaster recur in the prayers for China: typhoons, floods, dust storms and record heat, as well as building collapses. Human rights, the treatment of Uyghur Muslims, protest in Hong Kong, trade tension and the pandemic years are also named, alongside thanks for panda sanctuaries and tree planting.
Do Not Let Them Be Afraid: Prayers After a Philippines Beheading and the Death of Prince (April 28, 2016)
Jesus said, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid.’ God of comfort, God of peace, we are often fear-filled people. We regard our world through eyes clouded by tears of fear and frustration, making it difficult to […]
He Comes to Us as One Unknown: A Prayer for Refugees, the Sick, and All Who Cry for Justice (April 7, 2016)
He comes to us as One unknown, without a name, as of old, by the lakeside, He came to those men who knew Him not. He speaks to us the same words: ‘Follow thou me!’ and sets us to the tasks which He has to fulfill for our time. –Albert Schweitzer You come to us, […]
He Came Down That We May Have Peace: An Epiphany Prayer for Persecuted Christians (January 7, 2016)
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;…” “I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Do not be afraid, for I am with you;” Isaiah 43: 1 & 5 “Why did he come? He came down that we may have love, … peace, … joy.” Cameroon (Africa) Carol As we celebrate the Baptism […]
We Wait with Mary: An Advent Prayer for Syrian Refugees Welcomed to Canada (December 10, 2015)
God of the Whole World, we wait with Mary during this season of Hanukkah and thank You for our lives’ many miracles and blessings. We light one candle each day in recognition of the illumination and hope You bring into our homes and neighborhoods. In this halfway point of Advent, we pray for those who […]
An Armistice at Our Own Eleventh Hour: Prayers to End Genocide, Torture, and Disease (November 12, 2015)
Having but recently celebrated that moment “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month month” 97 years ago when the belligerents of World War I agreed to armistice, to the cessation of harmful deeds even in the absence of an agreed formula for a fully organized peace, let us lift hands […]
Darkness in Our World and Hope for Your Light: An All Saints Prayer for South Sudan (October 29, 2015)
Gracious and Good God, we come towards All Saints’ Day with darkness in our world and with hope for your light. We pray for the saints who have entered your kingdom who healed individuals and neighborhoods. We pray for those angels among us: those who feed the hungry, comfort the aggrieved, and love their neighbors. […]
With Persecutions: A Prayer for Christians Killed Near Aleppo and for Quiet Acts of Mercy (October 9, 2015)
Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God.” … “Truly I tell you there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not […]
Give Us Wisdom to Discern: Prayers After the China Warehouse Blast and a Baghdad Truck Bomb (August 13, 2015)
God, in the trouble of this world, in the confusion of rumor and news, in the anxiety of daily life, we pray that you will give us wisdom, that we may discern between good and evil. Give us wisdom in selecting our leaders. We pray for Sri Lanka as they prepare for their Parliamentary […]
Your Kingdom Grows in Day and Night: Prayers for China’s Children and Canada’s Schools (June 11, 2015)
Gracious Lord, we seek your Kingdom, which grows during both day and night. Help us, even when we do not know how, to remember that when things seem dark you are still at work in the world. We pray for China where the mass migration of parents looking for work have left millions […]