Prayers for India

The prayers that name India range widely: heatwaves and floods, the pandemic years, elections and communal tension, the treatment of women and of Dalit and tribal communities, and the safety of workers. Thanksgivings appear too, for rescues, tree planting and voices calling for interfaith unity.

Touch the Earth Lightly: Prayers for Tasmania’s Fires and Aid Stalled in Yemen (February 14, 2019)

Creator God, It doesn’t seem enough to say we thank you for the beauty of your creation. When we think of all that happened from the growth of our planet, its place in the solar system and the most we can say is “thanks”. You know the gratitude of our hearts, the deep meaning we want to […]

Prayers of the People: Hurricane Michael, #MeToo in India and the Uighur Camps in Xinjiang (October 11, 2018)

(Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer, Prayers of the People Form VI) In peace, we pray to you, Lord God. Silence For all people in their daily life and work; For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone. For this community, […]

This Is Our Prayer: For the Sulawesi Earthquake, a Micronesia Plane Crash and Assault Survivors (October 4, 2018)

Holy One, Shape our prayers to the Gospel of Your Son. Teach us to see as you see and to feel as you feel. This is our prayer. This day and each day, we lift up our prayers for each and every person who needs to see you in their lives and to feel your […]

Precious Lord, Take My Hand: Prayers for Hurricane Florence, Typhoon Mangkhut and Kabul (September 13, 2018)

“So we can say with confidence, with boldness, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.’ ” Hebrews 12:6 Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on to the light. Take my […]

God of Tender Souls Clinging: Prayers for the Kerala Floods, Besieged Ghazni, and Wildfires (August 23, 2018)

God of compassion God of green earth and snow God of darkness And illumination God of new things And of things torn apart God of waters and maker of dry land God of tender souls clinging God in this moment and across all sunrises and the universe Help us to understand our place in this […]

One of Those Days When It Is Hard to Pray: For Kabul, the Genoa Bridge and the Kerala Floods (August 16, 2018)

God, today is one of those days when it is hard to pray. One of the days when life feels so overwhelming that shutting down might seem like the best option. And on days like today, we have this community of prayer that lifts us up. Right now, we pray for each one reading this […]

On God Alone I Wait Silently: Prayers for Wildfires, Water Shortages and Refugees (August 2, 2018)

On God alone I wait silently; God my deliverer, God my strong tower. Paraphrase from Ps. 62, John L. Bell* When all efforts have been made to cope with natural disasters: the earthquake in Lombok, Indonesia; the wildfires in California, USA, Sweden, Siberia, Russian Federation, Greece, water shortages in Yemen, the UK, Syria, Kenya; On God alone I wait silently; God my deliverer, God […]

A Deep Thirst: Prayers for Drought, Desertification and Flooding Around the World (June 14, 2018)

The United Nations’ World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed every year on June 17. This year’s observance will be hosted in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso. When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them, I the God […]

Who Are My Mother and My Brothers: Thanks for Flying Doctors, Diplomats and Earth Scientists (May 31, 2018)

Jesus asked “Who are my mother and my brothers?” Lord Almighty, Son and Spirit, you who live in community know that we are always separate from one another but invite us into your family. You give us a way to live together for our mutual comfort and support. We give thanks for those, who understanding […]

Teach Us to Touch the Earth Lightly: Sectarian Violence, Deforestation and Zimbabwe’s Rangers (May 10, 2018)

Lord, we come before you Prayer is communication that invites at-one-ness with You, the source of our being. We call you God, and as revealed in the flesh, Jesus. We ask for empowerment. Transform us with the life-giving force of the Holy Spirit. Make us channels of the your Eternal Love, Light, and Grace. Help us to […]