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 Seeking Shelter and Those Whom You Have Welcomed Home
God of salvation, in whom there is no darkness at all, on these long nights of Advent when shadows deepen and the cold feels unrelenting, come be with us and “disperse the gloomy clouds of night.” As we draw close to this winter solstice and National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, we remember all those who have died while experiencing homelessness—family, friends, neighbors, the stranger. We come to you with sorrow and grief for the loss of our fellow human beings, and we acknowledge our failure to welcome you when you were a stranger. We pray for those experiencing homelessness (especially on this night). We lament our systems when they seek to displace and remove our siblings rather than work toward continued care. We give thanks for the outreach workers, volunteers, advocates, and organizations that never cease to show kindness, care, and compassion, and we ask that you move the hearts of leaders so that all together, inspired by your Spirit, we may bring hope, shelter, warmth, and friendship to all who need adequate housing. Just as your light breaks into the darkness, widen our homes and our hearts so that your welcome may be made known in the world. Let the radiance of the Nativity shine upon all whom we remember and all who still wander in the shadows. As Christ is born among us—fragile, poor, and laid in a manger—may his presence kindle mercy in our hearts and justice in our lives. Send us forth, carrying the flame of your compassion, that we may bear witness to Jesus, the light of the world. O come, O come, thou Lord of Might. Amen.
