Prayers for Iraq

Iraq is named here within long cycles of war and occupation, bombings and displacement, and the strikes and retaliations that draw in its neighbors. Religious minorities, survivors of sexual violence, refugees and the Kurdish question recur. Drought and salt-damaged land are held too, with thanks for old building methods recovered.

World News This Week In Prayer – Thursday, September 3, 2026

Ideas for using the prayer in congregational worship: In 1739 Charles Wesley composed the text to “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” and in 1828 Carl Gotthelf Gläser set Wesley’s text to the hymn tune he composed and named AZMON. In 1989, Miriam Therese Winter set fresh words to the hymn’s majestic music. Winter’s […]

Prayers for the World’s Waterways: Drought, Floods, and the Strait of Hormuz (August 6, 2026)

Spirit of God, as you hovered over the waters at the start of the creation, hover over the waterways of our world through navigation, water treatment, purification, desalination, and sewage treatment to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases. We pray for the safe passage of goods and supplies as nations use maritime waterways, where wars […]

A New Day Is Dawning: Prayers for Ice, Salmon Streams, Antarctica, and the Strait of Hormuz (June 18, 2026)

“And yet, there is only One great thing, The only thing: To live to see in huts and on journeys The great day that dawns And the light that fills the world.” – Inuit song of blessing Oh God of great mystery and God of the hearth and home. God of the seas and those […]

In Faith and Trust: A Pentecost Prayer for Nations at War, the Ebola Crisis, and All Who Tell the Truth (May 21, 2026)

We can think of intercession as expanding God’s being in every situation we open to Him. – Sr Margaret Mary, SPB in “Seeking God in the Silence” In intercession, we, the intercessors, need to know something of the circumstances to kindle our concern. God already knows it all, but it seems in the mystery […]

We See Christ Crucified Still: A Good Friday and Easter Prayer for a Wounded World (April 2, 2026)

Note from this week’s writer: I cannot separate Easter Day from Good Friday. One without the other is senseless to me. When I read or hear the news from around the world, there is always a mixture of the bleakness and helplessness of Good Friday and the hope and joy God brings out of chaos, […]

Toward Palm Sunday: Prayers for Nations at War, Flooding in Hawaii, and Those Facing Antisemitism (March 26, 2026)

Lord of mercy and Father of all good, As we walk the quiet road toward Palm Sunday, steady our hearts in the rhythm of Your grace. In these Lenten days, where reflection meets longing, teach us to lay down not only palm branches, but the burdens we clutch so tightly— our pride, our fear, our […]

We Pray for Peace: A Prayer for Iran, Israel, the United States, and Every Nation Drawn Into War (March 12, 2026)

We come before You with heavy hearts as war spreads and many lives are shaken. Many of David’s psalms called out to the Lord for protection, strength and victory against his enemies – we pray for divine peaceful intervention during this conflict. David trusted God and called upon the Lord to defend and scatter foes. […]

Let Us Be the Hope: Prayers for the Middle East, Fires in Brazil and Greece, and Measles (June 26, 2025)

Gracious God, As we sit in this time of turmoil and strife, let our eyes fix on you. Let our hearts be open to your mercy and hope. We are bombarded on all sides by news of war, famine, and illness. We are overcome with feelings of sorrow, worry, and grief. Come to us, be […]

Beloved, Are You There: A Prayer After the Myanmar Earthquake and for a World at War (April 3, 2025)

Beloved, are you there amongst the rubble and remains of thousands who lost their lives from the earthquake in Myanmar…..are you there to cradle their broken bodies with your tenderness? Most Merciful One, send us a sign that you are there within the devastation and crippling heartbreak of every person touched by war in Syria, […]

Our Backs Tell Stories: A Prayer Honoring Women Confronting Gender Based Violence (January 9, 2025)

“Our backs tell stories no books have the spine to carry.” – Rupi Kaur Divine Mother, our world is filled with great sorrow. The tragedy of violence against women across continents is alarming, and yet, it continues to increase in volume. Heal us, protect us, and inspire us to demand change. Thank you for the […]