Tag: Prayer

  • A Prayer For Domestic Violence Awareness Month

    A Prayer For Domestic Violence Awareness Month

    Each year October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have been victims of severe physical violence by Read more

  •  A Litany of Prayer for Refugees, Migrants, and Displaced Persons

     A Litany of Prayer for Refugees, Migrants, and Displaced Persons

    For the refugees, migrants, and displaced persons of this world, Lord, hear our prayer, and let our cry come to you. O God, do not be silent; Do not keep still nor hold your peace, O God.  God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth, Have mercy upon them.  God the Son, Redeemer of the Read more

  • “I just needed to be reminded.” – A Sermon on Mark 13:24-37 for Advent 1B

    “I just needed to be reminded.” – A Sermon on Mark 13:24-37 for Advent 1B

    “We didn’t do it that way when we were kids.” “This isn’t the America I remember. It’s not like it used to be.” “The world is a different place these days. It’s changed.” “This isn’t the church I grew up in. I don’t know what happened to that church.” “Back in my day….” “This isn’t… Read more

  • A Prayer for Interfaith Conversation and Friendship

    A Prayer for Interfaith Conversation and Friendship

    I recently had the opportunity to attend the 12th Annual Dialogue and Friendship Dinner sponsored by the Dialogue Institute of the Southwest. Diverse people, cultures, and faiths gathered around a meal and conversation to create new friendships and deepen mutual understanding. I was privileged to offer a prayer at the beginning of the evening. Other Read more

  • Prayer Begins When the Words End

    Prayer Begins When the Words End

    Psalm 62:1. “For God alone my soul in silence waits; from him comes my salvation.” One Sunday, years ago, I knelt to pray before the liturgy began, as was my usual practice. I always had something to tell or ask God. This day, however, was different. I had no words. It wasn’t that I had Read more

  • Aleppo Doesn’t Need Our Prayers

    Aleppo Doesn’t Need Our Prayers

    A few days ago I posted A Litany of Prayer for Aleppo. I was and still am heartbroken and overwhelmed, maybe even possessed, by what is happening in Aleppo. Omran has become for me an icon of that tragedy. His face and silence are ever before me; waiting, questioning, and convicting. I could not not pray. I Read more

  • A Litany of Prayer for Aleppo

    A Litany of Prayer for Aleppo

    How long, O Lord, how long? There is no peace in Aleppo. There is no peace in Syria. Every night the people flood their beds with tears and drench their couches with weeping. Their eyes waste away with grief. Their spirits shake with terror. You are the one who took them out of the womb. Read more

  • Prayers for France and Turkey (Again)

    Prayers for France and Turkey (Again)

    How long, O Lord, how long? Every week we come to you adding to the list of names; victims, perpetrators, and places of violence and pain in the world. Today we hold before you the people of France and Turkey. Every night we flood our bed with tears and drench our couch with weeping. Our Read more

  • Prayers for Turkey and the World

    Prayers for Turkey and the World

    O Lord of life, the God of our salvation, who bears our burdens: Our world has once again been shaken by violence, gunfire, and explosions; this time at the Istanbul airport. We are weary because of our groaning. Every night we flood our bed with tears and drench our couch with weeping. Our eyes waste Read more