If the Lord had not been my help,
my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence.
When I thought, “My foot is slipping,”
your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.
When the cares of my heart are many,
your consolations cheer my soul. (Psalm 94:17-19)
Join us each week as we share new prayers for the vulnerable among us facing challenges, fears, and threats. We will name many of the harms unfolding and acknowledge what is being erased, lost, and threatened.
These prayers are not a replacement for action; they are meant to offer space for grounding and discernment as we seek to bear one another’s burdens in the love and way of Christ.
Join by Zoom each Monday at 11:45 a.m. ET to hear the prayers aloud, in the context of a simple liturgy, prayed by members of the Community of Francis and Clare.
For Those Harmed by Politicized Decisions
God of all victims, who calls us to love all vulnerable people no matter who they are, we pray for all disaster victims, especially those whose requests for federal disaster relief have been denied or delayed for political reasons. Be with those who do not know where support will come from as they seek to recover from recent calamities in their communities. Lift up systems of mutual aid, and direct state leaders toward creative solutions for their residents. Above all, grant hope to all disaster victims, O Lord. Turn the hearts of the ruling authorities to make disaster-relief decisions according to need rather than political advantage, so that all who are in need may receive help. Help us to continue to build an equitable and just country where we do not let hardships go unaddressed. Grant this through the source of our love, Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen.
For the Protection of God’s Endangered Creation
God of all, who fashioned an Earth teeming with life and called it good, we lament the recent changes to the implementation of the Endangered Species Act that weaken protections for the habitats on which many endangered species depend. We pray for the life and future of plants and animals as they face increased harm and peril from the destruction and degradation of habitats that preserve biodiversity. Give us, we pray, a reverence for your creation that extends to all life, remembering that you have ordained in your wisdom that our common life is one of mutual growth and interconnected dependence. Grant wisdom to the governing authorities and business leaders who stand to personally gain from these changes, that they might repent of placing short-term profit above the flourishing of your creation. And help each of us to live up to our sacred calling to steward the land with justice and love. Grant this, O Lord, through Christ, our Cosmic Redeemer. Amen.
For All Whose Lives Are Endangered by Cycles of Violence
God of life, whose Son by his death and resurrection took away the sting of death, we pray for all who have died during immigration enforcement operations and all whose lives are endangered by the cycles of violence surrounding this nation’s current immigration system. We lift up to your special care all immigrants, bystanders, law enforcement officers, families, and communities that grieve and sit in fear during this time of increased violence and uncertainty. We pray, O Lord, that no more lives would be lost through violence connected to our immigration system. Grant release and hope to all who are fearful, for we know that when there is even one person in bondage and fear, we are all unfree. Bring justice and righteousness to this land, O God, and keep us safe as we advocate for your vision of the world, a vision of love that is sustained by our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
