World in Prayer

Sharing in God’s loving compassion for all

Prayers for Ukraine

Much of what is gathered for Ukraine concerns war: the unrest and occupation that came first, the wider invasion that followed, and the families displaced into Poland and other countries. Elections, freedom of speech and the grain harvest also appear, along with prayers for medical workers and for ceasefires that have not yet held.

O Great Guide, Light a Way Forward: Prayers for Gaza, Ukraine, and Congo (December 14, 2023)

O Great Guide, who led shepherds and kings by the light of a star, when we feel most lost, we pray you light a way forward. We are bombarded with news of war and death, like bombs blasting open our hearts. We pray for all areas around the globe that are experiencing war, including: Israel […]

A Prayer Is Not a News Bulletin: Praying for Peace in Gaza, Ukraine, Syria, and Yemen (November 16, 2023)

Dear God, A prayer is not a news bulletin, a donation request, telegram, text message, or a voice message. One could suppose that each could contain elements of a prayer, but they seem quite secular and every day. How do we ask you to bring your peace that passes all understanding among us in these […]

God of Our Longings: Prayers for Gaza, Ukraine, Migrant Caravans, and Nepal’s Earthquakes (November 9, 2023)

God of our Longings, The German root of longing, langen, is ‘reach, extend.’ We reach and extend our hands and hearts to You. We reach and extend our hands and hearts to each other as we see so much that is broken and longing to be made whole again. We long for deep and lasting […]

For the Souls of the Departed: An All Souls Prayer After Gaza, Avdiivka, and Kerala (November 2, 2023)

Merciful One, it is not for us to judge those who have died.  Rather, we come to you with the assurance of your great compassion.  We unite with these wounded brothers and sisters of ours and believe that you draw all to your forgiving heart.  May the love we bear be encouragement for all souls […]

Like Trees Planted by Streams of Water: Prayers for Israel, Ukraine, and a Fragile Planet (October 12, 2023)

Psalm 1 (NRSVUE) 1 Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path that sinners tread or sit in the seat of scoffers, 2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. Holy One, as we look […]

The Thinnest Silence: A Prayer About Listening for the Voice of God (September 28, 2023)

Holy One, Divine Creator, whom some name God, we pray every week for so many things: for those suffering from effects of climate change and the earthquakes, the hurricanes, the super droughts, super fires, and the super floods; for children and women abused and sold and trafficked even in our modern era of development; for […]

A Prayer on the International Day of Peace: Libya’s Flood Dead, Manipur, and Ukraine (September 21, 2023)

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Psalm 103:1 Holy One, We long to be faithful stewards of your love – to know, love, and serve you and each other with humility, wisdom and love, but God, at times, our world is full of despair that […]

Holding the Burden Alongside Us: A Prayer for a New School Year, World Hunger, and the Hottest Summer (September 7, 2023)

O God who holds each one of us, We lift our hearts in prayer for the students around the globe who have just started a new school year. Help students, educators, and grown ups who raise children navigate the busier season and the additional stress that may bring. This time of year brings additional tasks […]

Bless the Lord, O My Soul: Prayers for Ukraine, Sudan, and Migrants at the Saudi Border (August 24, 2023)

The prayer this week is based on Psalm 103:1-8 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name. Sometimes when I look at the world around me, or when I look within my home and heart, I am overwhelmed with grief, fear and anxiety. It can be hard, […]

A World Free From Nuclear Weapons: Prayers 78 Years After Hiroshima and Nagasaki (August 3, 2023)

As the world marks the 78th anniversary of the bombing of Japan’s Hiroshima and Nagasaki August 6-8, we acknowledge the religious, political, diplomatic, economic, and cultural state of the nuclear weapon era in our world community and pray for the end of this scourge: This week features a religious dialogue between Japanese bishops and United States pilgrims (including Archbishop […]