Almighty and Everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all those who will turn away from them. Create and make in us new and apologetic hearts, that, mournful of our sins and acknowledging our misery, we may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect forgiveness and […]
This Does Not Feel Like Christmas: A Pandemic Christmas Prayer for Every Nation (December 24, 2020)
Christmas 2020 This does not feel like Christmas. Sorry, God, but we have to say it bluntly. It doesn’t feel like Christmas. Most of our treasured Christmas traditions – off limits due to the pandemic. Worship services severely curtailed, or moved to online only. Businesses closed or in danger of closing permanently. Too many ill, […]
No Hands but Yours: Prayers for the West Coast Wildfires, Hurricane Season, and Yemen’s Hunger (September 17, 2020)
“No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you […]
We Cannot Go Back to Normal: A Prayer on Inequality, Hong Kong, and Rising Hate Crimes (July 30, 2020)
I never anticipated that now, in the midst of an abundant summer following a beautiful spring, we would still be living out a winter spirituality. But the Covid-19 Pandemic has brought this upon us. But…We’re All in This Together, Right?….except…. Lowering of pollution that first month—the air so crisp and clear and breathable. Everything stood […]
A Holy Week Prayer: Food Sharing in Italy, Ventilators in Nigeria, a Gang Truce in Cape Town (April 9, 2020)
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ~ Lamentations 3: 21b – 23 [Early on the first day of the week] Mary Magdalene […]
A Life in Service to Others: Prayers for Yemen, India’s Migrant Workers, and Tripoli (April 2, 2020)
Nobel Peace Laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (President of Liberia from 2006 to 2018, including during the Ebola crisis) writes: Dear fellow citizens of the world, … It does not mean that we are on our own, every country for themselves. On the contrary, it is the sign of a communal response, that border closures make […]
A Prayer at the Turn of the Decade: For Nations at War and Hearts in Despair (January 2, 2020)
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above. James 1:17 Oh Lord, there are many things that concern us and call us to prayer. We open our hearts to you in gratitude and wonder. We pray for those who rage and are quick to anger, for those who seem to be eaten up […]
The Prince of Peace in a Weary World: A Christmas Prayer for Refugees and the Poor (December 26, 2019)
As we approach the end of another year, we tend to reflect and look back over the last year or decade but unless this informs our choices and behaviours going forward it is in danger of being an empty and futile activity. So many have expressed frustration, anger or disconnectedness with the political process in […]
A World Surrounded by Protests: Prayers from Chile and Ecuador to Hong Kong and Barcelona (October 24, 2019)
Creator God, we give thanks for the privilege of praying. Hear us as we try to pray for our world. Our world seems to be surround by protests. We pray for those in Chile and Ecuador who protest against income inequality. We pray for those who protest about corruption in Iraq, Egypt, and Lebanon. We […]
We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest: Prayers for Syria, Haiti, and Survivors of Abuse (February 21, 2019)
[Italics are quotes from “Ella’s Song” by Sweet Honey in the Rock.] We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes. Almighty God, we pray for all who fear for their lives around the globe, living in war-torn areas, living in fear of terrorism, and living under oppressive governments, including: the civilians in Baghuz, Syria […]