Each Sunday morning, bridging our informal gathering time, during which we share from our lives, and our formal worship time, a different person, usually from Seekers, offers a prayer for peace and justice. Each person chooses what to say, with no prompting or guidance from the coordinator other than to be brief, prayerful and focused on peace and justice. On this page, we offer the text of some of those prayers.
A Prayer of Lament and Grief in the Face of Violence in the Middle East
Praying for Peace and Justice on August 18, 2024 Creator God, we grieve this morning for the volcanoes of rage and hatred erupting around your earth. Saddened God, we grieve this morning for the teenagers and youth slaughtered by armed militants at an outdoor music festival. Merciful God, we grieve this morning for the scared babies, mothers and grandmothers abducted into strange and terrifying places and awaiting an unknown future. Weeping God, we grieve this morning for the patients and families who sought healing and comfort in a hospital, only to find more death, maiming and terror. Searching God, we…
A Prayer for Wisdom and Civility in our Public Discourse
Praying for Peace and Justice on August 11, 2024 All around us are reminders of a world divided on so many issues and hatred of the “other” used as a wedge. Social media is full of false debates and angry words. Holy One, help us remember that our words matter. Guide our words towards civility and wisdom in discourse and discussion. Teach us to model love for our neighbors in all conversations, whether public or private. You have called us to be salt and light to our nation and to the world. (Adapted from A Prayer for Civility in a…
A Prayer for Better Recovery and Mental Health Treatment Programs
Praying for Peace and Justice on August 4, 2024 I pray for the wisdom and attention of policy makers to fund adequate recovery programs aswell as adequate mental health treatment programs for the people in our community and acrossthe country. Background Mental Health is becoming far more important to policy makers as Americans become willingto admit to mental health issues and seek help and treatment.More than 1 in 5 US adults live with a mental illness.Over 1 in 5 youth (ages 13-18) either currently or at some point during their life, have had aseriously debilitating mental illness. 5About 1 in 25…
Praying for a Glimpse of the World as God’s Love Would Have It
Praying for Peace and Justice on July 21, 2024 Grant us, Holy One a vision of your world as your love would have it:a world where the weak are protected, and none go hungry or poor;a world where the riches of creation are shared, and everyone can enjoy them;a world where different races and cultures live in harmony and mutual respect;a world where peace is built with justice, and justice is guided by love;a world where caring, compassion and touch are offered especially for those in palliative and hospice care;Give us the inspiration and courage to build it, through Jesus…
A Prayer After Another Violent Shooting
Praying for Peace and Justice on July 14, 2024 Holy Oneness, author of the Sacred Web of Life,We come this morning stunned once againBy the news of yet another violent shooting At a public gathering. We know that the power of peace and respect for one anotherIs a radical message that Jesus lived and taught.We also know that his radical welcome for all, outcast and insider, was rejected by the most powerful people of his day. Open our eyes, we pray, to seeThe places where WE can standAs members of your sacred body here and now —Act for peace AND justice…