God of our Mothers and Fathers, we come to you this week with adoration and praise, with lament and longing, with sadness and grief. We see beauty in your world, and we see devastation. We cry aloud to you this week for some of the conditions and situations in the world you created. We join […]
Unless You Become Like Children: Prayers for the World’s Children, from Gaza to Texas (June 25, 2026)
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child […]
Why Do You Stand Looking Up Toward Heaven: Prayers for Iran, Mali, the Philippines, and India’s Heat (May 14, 2026)
When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? […]
Unknown, Unnamed, Un-prayed For: Prayers After Mass Shootings and Protest Deaths in Tanzania (April 23, 2026)
Unknown. Unnamed. Un-prayed for. This morning began with the news of a mass shooting at a mall in Louisiana, U.S. And of a special balloon release at a preschool, to commemorate two of its students who were killed over the weekend in another mass shooting, along with six siblings, also in the U.S. Yesterday, an […]
And the Floodwaters Covered the Earth: A Prayer for Southern Africa’s Floods (January 22, 2026)
…And the floodwaters covered the earth… (Genesis 7) I thought I knew what I was doing, when I offered to cover for this week’s scheduled prayer writer, whose whole family had come down with the flu. Easy. I had half a week to prepare, nothing much booked for those days. Easy. I didn’t know that an […]
God of Rest, God of Renewal: Prayers for Kenya’s Protests, the Pantanal Fires and Hajj Heat (June 20, 2024)
God of rest, God of renewal, we come to you seeking to be renewed by your presence in our lives. So many of us work so very hard, and it can feel like we cannot afford to take time to rest. Too many are struggling to make ends meet, to survive, to go on for […]
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 […]
Fire, Earth, Water, Air: A Prayer for a Scorched Planet and the Amazon Rainforest (August 10, 2023)
*The framework for this week’s prayer is drawn from “The Four Elements and the Creation of Man,” written by Vladimir Moss, an Orthodox Christian theologian and historian. https://www.orthodoxchristianbooks.com/articles/453/-four-elements-creation-man/ FIRE. “‘God is a consuming fire,’ says the apostle (Hebrews 12.29). And of the created angels who are filled with the Spirit of God it is said […]
It Takes a Village: Prayers for Hunger in Yemen, Afghan Girls Denied School, and a Burning World (July 27, 2023)
The phrase “it takes a village to raise a child” originates from an African proverb and conveys the message that it takes many people (“the village”) to provide a safe, healthy environment for children, where children are given the security they need to develop and flourish, and to be able to realize their hopes and […]
Thanksgivings, Concerns, and Celebrations: Prayers for Ukraine, Kenya, and a World in Heat (July 20, 2023)
Mother God, we come to you with thanksgivings. We are grateful to be loved by You. We are grateful for hands to hold, for kindness, and for grace. We are grateful for sunshine, rain, and rainbows. We are grateful for the farmers and laborers who give us our daily bread. We are grateful for forgiveness. […]