Prayers for the United States

Prayers naming the United States have followed storms, tornadoes, wildfires and floods across many states, along with elections and political tension, gun violence, and questions of migration and race. Health, mental health and the well-being of ordinary households appear often, as do thanksgivings for its landscapes and wild places.

Complicit as We Are in Humanity: A Prayer of Confession and Wonder (February 2, 2018)

Our prayer is for ourselves, complicit as we are in humanity. We pray for the humility to admit that we understand, sometimes participate, in the sins of humanity: the sin of tribalism that sets Turk against Kurd in mortal combat, the sin of denial that tries to reduce the horrors of the Holocaust to verbal […]

Come Fill Us With Your Light: Prayers for Eastern Ghouta, Jalalabad, and the Gambia (January 25, 2018)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever. ~ Psalm 111:10 …we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. ~ 1 Corinthians 8:1 …anyone who loves God is known by him. ~ 1 […]

A Prayer for Lovers: The Greatest of These Is Love, from Jerusalem to Myanmar to Zimbabwe (January 18, 2018)

Prayer for Lovers “Faith, Hope and Love Abide. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13) Holy and Loving God, Your voice is so clear. Your message unavoidable: to love. We confess, Loving God, that we fall short despite your best efforts to teach. We heard your still small voice to Elijah. […]

A World of Contrasts: Prayers for Record Cold, Australia’s Heat, and California’s Mudslides (January 11, 2018)

“The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” – Heb. 4:12 Lord you provide for our needs and equip us to help, provide for the needs of others […]

Let It Be With Us: Prayers for the Least and the Mighty, from Benin to Catalonia (December 21, 2017)

“Let it be with me according to your word.” –Mary, on learning that she was to bear the son of God (Luke 1:38) Let it be with us, according to Your word. Let the hungry be filled with good things. Let the lowly be lifted up. Let the mighty be cast down. Let your promise of mercy […]

Look With Your Eyes: Advent Prayers for Hungry Children in DR Congo and Refugees in Limbo (December 14, 2017)

Holy One, “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.” (John 1) “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of […]

Comfort, O Comfort My People: An Advent Prayer After the Travel Ban and Delhi’s Toxic Air (December 7, 2017)

Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. (Isaiah 40:1-2, NRSV) God of comfort, we live in a world that increasingly reveals its disconnection from […]

God of Grace and Glory: A Thanksgiving Prayer for the Rohingya and Those Facing Deportation (November 23, 2017)

“…for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” ~ Matthew 25:42-43 God of […]

A Liturgy of the Hours: Prayers After the Iran Earthquake and the Rancho Tehama School Shooting (November 16, 2017)

Note: The writer this week is using the framework of the Liturgy of the Hours (Opus Dei i.e. Work of God) so sanctifying the day with prayer. The one who made the Pleiades and Orion, and turns deep darkness into the morning, and darkens the day into night, who calls for the waters of […]

Never Will I Leave You: A Remembrance Day Prayer After the Texas Church Shooting (November 9, 2017)

Heavenly Father, as another week passes more tragedy and disaster have befallen your creation earth: A deadly mass shooting in Texas, US; a toxic smog blanketing Delhi, India; and a poverty-lead gambling crisis in Venezuela. Help us, please Lord. Our hearts break as we ask you to help and bless everyone affected by these disastrous […]