Jesus, you call us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. May we shine the light of your peace and love to its farthest corners as we remember your world in our prayers. We pray for Russia as it hosts the Winter Olympics in Sochi, for the athletes who […]
Prayers for Syria
Syria appears here mainly through the long war and its displacement, with families scattered into neighboring countries and beyond, health care and shelter in short supply, and religious minorities among those held in prayer. Chemical weapons, ceasefire talks and repeated negotiations are named plainly, along with thanks for those who help.
Humility and Perseverance: A Prayer for Negotiations, Climate Change, and an End to Executions (January 30, 2014)
God, on whom we rely, hear this prayer for humility and perseverance. You know that we are ever tempted to reject the better for the perfect. Help us embrace the possibilities unfolding in negotiations between the United States and Syria, in disputes in Ukraine, wherever progress, even modest progress, is being made. Free of implementation […]
Jesus Calls Us Still: Prayers for Migrants Lost off Greece, the Geneva Talks on Syria, and Kiev (January 23, 2014)
Just as Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James and John to follow him long ago, Jesus calls us today to follow him. One of the ways we follow is through prayer. Let us join our hearts together and pray. Holy God, help us we pray, to hear your call to us. Make us ready to change the […]
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 […]
Home by Another Road: A New Year Prayer for a World Still Broken After Christmas (January 2, 2014)
World in Prayer This Week – January 2, 2014 “And having been warned in dream not to return to Herod, they [the Wise Ones] left for their own country by another road.” Matthew 2:12 (NRSV) God of dreams and desires, in this sacred season you reach to the world in rhythms beyond the rational. An […]
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel: An Advent Prayer to Set the Captives Free (December 19, 2013)
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. We are still waiting for you. We are waiting for the Prince of Peace. We are waiting for the Wisdom from on high. We are waiting for the King of all nations. O come and set the captives free. Free those who are captive to violence. The people of Syria, […]
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind: An Advent Prayer Remembering Nelson Mandela (December 12, 2013)
This week, Dear Lord, has been one where the contrast between what is right and what is convenient or what we choose to do has been held up to scrutiny. We give thanks for the example that change is possible through the life journey and work of Nelson Mandela. We pray for honesty, humility, and […]
Expanding God’s Being: An Advent Prayer for Typhoon Haiyan, UK Storms, and Nelson Mandela (December 5, 2013)
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 of humanity where God has given us free will, he will not bypass this and treat us like robots. Our love and concern seem to open the way […]
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 […]
May Your Footsteps Show: A Prayer for Migrants Lost in the Niger Desert (October 31, 2013)
Creator God, by your word and in your power, you have created us and our world. As we learn more of you, so we come to realize how powerful is your word. In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show. Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me. (John L. Bell […]