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 U.S. Service Members and Their Loved Ones
God of mercy and steadfast love, we lift before you those serving in the armed forces who are far from home in places of conflict. Be near those who are wounded in body or spirit, comfort those who grieve the loss of comrades, and grant rest to the souls of those who have died. Hold their families close—the spouses, parents, children, and friends who grieve, wait, and worry. Give them strength, patience, and the assurance that they are not alone. Grant wisdom to the nations of the world so that conflict may end, justice may prevail, and peace may grow where violence has taken root. Through Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Amen.
For Peace Amid Conflict in Afghanistan and Pakistan
God of peace and justice, we lift before you the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan, caught in cycles of violence. We grieve the lives taken in a recent strike on Kabul, and we pray for the wounded, the displaced, and those who mourn. Be near to those who suffer, especially the poor, the sick, the oppressed, the abused, and those whose rights have been denied. Restrain the hand of those who wage war, and turn the hearts of leaders toward wisdom. Strengthen all who seek peace, and protect those who work for aid, healing, and reconciliation. Bring clarity, justice, and accountability to those who feel lost in the conflict. Gather the broken into your mercy, and make a way where there seems to be none. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Cuba Amid Darkness and Scarcity
Faithful God, our sustainer and keeper who does not abandon us in times of need, we pray for the people of Cuba. Amid the loss of light and the scarcity of food, water, and medicine, uphold all who suffer and strengthen those who care for others in hardship, especially the Episcopal Church in Cuba in its witness of compassion and presence. Guard human dignity where it is strained. Sustain hope where despair draws near. Be with those who protest and those who govern, that justice may be sought without violence. We ask in remembrance of your call to bear moral responsibility for the suffering of others. Through Jesus Christ, the bread of life. Amen.
