Prayers for Colombia

Internal conflict driven by drug cartels is the steady concern here, joined by an earthquake, drought across South America, and extreme weather shared with neighboring countries. These prayers also name those building a culture of peace among new generations, and the rainforest Colombia helps to keep.

My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me: A Good Friday Prayer After the Brussels Bombings (March 24, 2016)

The weight of pain, brokenness, despair and grief is profound after yet more bombings and killings in Brussels, Belgium, the almost obscenely routine massacres in Syria, Iraq, Sudan, the murders and kidnaps in Columbia, Mexico, the corruption and destruction of trust and order in too many countries to name on most continents of our shared, […]

They Will Soar on Wings Like Eagles: A Prayer of Confession for a World Weary of Violence (October 15, 2015)

WORLD NEWS IN PRAYER THURSDAY, October 15 2015 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” –Isaiah 40:31 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and […]

The Sacred Among Us: Prayers for Nepal’s Displaced and for Mothers Everywhere (May 7, 2015)

In all our joys and in all our concerns, may we be ever mindful of the presentness of the sacred among us, and to see new possibilities of the now. Creativity God, be our guide in re-imagining our human institutions of government. As the United Kingdom‘s parliament undergoes a change and the United States continues to […]

Lift Up the Light of Your Countenance: For Migrants Drowned Near Italy and for Yemen (April 16, 2015)

Many are saying, “Oh, that we might see better times!” Lift up the light of your countenance upon us, O LORD. – Psalm 4:6 In this season of resurrection, lift up the light of your countenance upon us, O Lord, that we may see your risen Son, Jesus Christ, who walks with us, […]

For the Healing of the Nations: A Prayer for the Children of Syria (July 31, 2014)

Is anything too hard for the Lord? Genesis 18:14 Healing of the nations. I watched a documentary on BBC TV called “The Children of Syria,” which followed children for several months from all sides in the war. Watching them parrot the hate for their former friends as taught them by their adult family and community […]

Two Thirds of Our Planet: A Prayer for an Interlinked World and the Missing at Sea (May 22, 2014)

Two thirds of our planet are covered by sea. Two thirds of our planet are still unexplored. (Hans Hass) Lord, you are so immense, intelligent and intangible, that we think you are incomprehensible, impenetrable, inscrutable. Somehow that gives us the idea that you cannot know or understand us, our environment, our planet. We act […]

A Good Friday Vigil: Prayers for the Korean Ferry, South Sudan, Forgiveness, and New Beginnings (April 17, 2014)

I write this during the long vigil between Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. The time when those who follow the ancient traditions of the Christian church year stay up and keep watch with Jesus, as he prays in agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. We have, once again, been present as he washes the disciples’ […]

Gifts of the Wise Men: An Epiphany Prayer for Chile’s Fires and Sudan’s Displaced (January 9, 2014)

And, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped […]

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 […]

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. […]