World in Prayer

Sharing in God’s loving compassion for all

Every Stranger a Bearer of Gifts: Prayers for Migrants, Cyclone Fani, and Attacked Houses of Worship (May 2, 2019)

This week’s prayers begin with music. Music composed in the late 18th century by an Austrian composer, using an ancient Latin text. Music sung, this past Sunday, by a touring Russian ensemble, at the beginning of worship in an Episcopal church in California, U.S. But perhaps a bit of background is in order. The members […]

Touch the Earth Lightly: Prayers for Tasmania’s Fires and Aid Stalled in Yemen (February 14, 2019)

Creator God, It doesn’t seem enough to say we thank you for the beauty of your creation.  When we think of all that happened from the growth of our planet, its place in the solar system and the most we can say is “thanks”.  You know the gratitude of our hearts, the deep meaning we want to […]

Like a Refiner’s Fire: A Prayer of Repentance for a Freezing and Burning World (January 31, 2019)

But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present […]

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 […]

Your Wings Enfolding Us: Prayers for the Yemen School Bus Attack, the Lombok Earthquake, and Gaza (August 8, 2018)

Holy One, our lives push us forward each day, distracting and distressing us. We move through the motions and meet the demands laid out before us. We have many priorities and not enough time. We make decision after decision that pulls our attention away from you. Yet, you are here. We declare this; we believe […]

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 […]

A Reformation Litany at 500 Years: Prayers for Disaster Recovery, Iceland’s Forests, and Raqqa (October 26, 2017)

A 500th Anniversary Reformation Litany (Adapted from the writings of Lutheran reformers) Note:  31 October 2017 marks 500 years since the monk and priest Martin Luther nailed a series of statements calling for reform in the Catholic church to the door of the city church in Wittenberg, Germany.  This action unwittingly set off the German […]

Hear Our Cries: A Prayer for Storm-Struck Communities, DACA Families, and Journalists Silenced (September 7, 2017)

Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. -Ps.119:34 The commandments…are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.” -Romans 13:9-10 Abba, Father of each one of us wherever we […]

Lord, Declare New Things: After Hurricane Harvey, Monsoon Floods, and the Freetown Landslide (August 31, 2017)

Do you know what I have done for you? – John 13:12c And new things I now declare – Isaiah 42:9b The word of the Lord stands forever – Isaiah 40:8b, I Peter 1:25   Lord, we see what you have done for us, but sometimes it is difficult as we do not know or […]