World in Prayer

Sharing in God’s loving compassion for all

Prayers for Mexico

Mexico appears in these prayers through earthquakes, landslides and storms, and through violence, disappearances and the search for missing people. Migration is a constant theme, with families crossing and waiting at the northern border. Elections, water and the arts are held here too, with thanks for ordinary kindness along the way.

We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest: Prayers for Syria, Haiti, and Survivors of Abuse (February 21, 2019)

[Italics are quotes from “Ella’s Song” by Sweet Honey in the Rock.] We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes. Almighty God, we pray for all who fear for their lives around the globe, living in war-torn areas, living in fear of terrorism, and living under oppressive governments, including: the civilians in Baghuz, Syria […]

You Are My Beloved: Prayers During the US Government Shutdown and After the Nairobi Siege (January 17, 2019)

As the words of the Spirit echo in our ears, “You are my child, my beloved.” “You bring me delight and joy.” The news of the week shakes us back to reality, the world is not as it could be, the heavenly kingdom struggles to break forth. Grant us courage in the face of our […]

Renew Our Strength: A New Year Prayer for Yemen, Separated Families, and Indonesia’s Tsunami Dead (January 3, 2019)

Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:30-31 Heavenly God, How can we ever thank you? How can […]

Grief, Fear and Strength: Prayers for California Wildfires, Yemen and the Rohingya (November 29, 2018)

Holy One, When what we have is yours and what we receive is a gift from you, we offer up our words of prayer in the knowledge that you are the Word from whom all our prayers flow. We pray with grief for the things that have broken your heart; we pray with joy for […]

A Miracle of More Than Enough: A Thanksgiving Prayer for the Migrant Caravan and California Fires (November 15, 2018)

Thanksgiving Prayer “Oh, may this bounteous God through all our life be near us, With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us; And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed; And guard us through all ills in this world, till the next!” (verse 2, “Now Thank We All Our God,” […]

For the Least of These: Prayers for Uighur Muslims, Madagascar Prisons and a Hurricane in Mexico (October 25, 2018)

Then the king will say to those on his right, “My father has blessed you! Come and receive the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world was created.  When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a […]

How Long, O Lord: Prayers for the Rohingya, Abuse Survivors and Earthquakes in Venezuela and Iran (August 30, 2018)

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all day long? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Psalm 13:1-2 (NRSV) How long, O Lord? Our hearts and […]

God of Many Names: Thanksgiving for the Thai Cave Rescue and Prayers for Separated Families (July 12, 2018)

God of Many Names “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in time of trouble. Therefore, we will not fear.” Psalm 46:1-2 Holy and Loving God, we come to You from many places, the physical and spiritual. We use different names and descriptions and ideas when we talk about You, or come before […]

A More Perfect Union: Prayers for the Thai Cave Boys, the Capital Gazette and Refugees (July 5, 2018)

This week’s prayers are adapted, with permission, from a prayer written for U.S. Independence Day 2018 by Leslie Barnes Scoopmire. (Inspired by the Preamble to the United States Constitution) In peace, we pray to You, Lord, God: from our rising to our resting we give You thanks and praise for all your blessings. We give […]

All People Are Your People: A World Refugee Day Prayer for Families at the Border and Hungary’s Asylum Laws (June 21, 2018)

World Refugee Day was observed on June 20. Let us remember that a person’s dignity, worth, or humanity does not depend on their citizenship. May we be filled with the deep understanding that Jesus calls us to welcome and love the stranger. Let us pray: God of compassion, we are torn apart by the cruelty […]