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)
We invite you to join us as we share new prayers each week for the vulnerable among us facing challenges, fears, and threats. We will name many of the harms unfolding around us and acknowledge what is being erased, lost, and threatened.
Please join us in prayer and share these prayers with your dioceses and parishes.
We are one church united in prayer, naming reality in the face of lies, creating space for grief in the face of denial, and freeing space in our souls for hope. We gather to be the body of Christ for one another—bearing one another’s burdens—and pointing the world to the cross and its redemptive power already at work through our witness (even when it may not feel like it).
These prayers are not a replacement for action; they offer grounding and space to discern what actions each of us feel compelled to take. We may feel called to meet with or contact our elected officials, participate in community organizing, provide services to those in our communities, or join in protests or acts of civil disobedience.
As a church, our advocacy continues, and we invite you to join us. The Episcopal Public Policy Network has weekly action alerts, resources, webinars, and trainings. Learn more here.
Prayers for the week of May 30
For Gaza and the West Bank
Compassionate God, amid turmoil and suffering, we lift up Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank to you. We grieve for those killed and wounded by the Israeli military at aid distribution sites, and for those desperate for life’s necessities amid fear and violence. We pray for the Israeli government to allow critically needed aid to enter Gaza. We pray for Palestinians in the West Bank whose livelihoods and lives are threatened. May your Spirit move the hearts of leaders toward justice and mercy, and may you give us strength to do all we can to ease the suffering and work toward justice. Amen.
Amid Technological Change in the Age of AI
Creating God, source of all wisdom and wonder, as artificial intelligence reshapes our world, we lift our concerns to you. We fear job loss and the spread of misinformation that clouds truth. Guard the vulnerable, uphold the dignity of work, and guide those who shape these tools to prioritize safety and wisdom. Keep us rooted in your creativity and compassion, so that we may honor the gifts of human imagination as we face the unknown. Amen.
For Compassionate Care and Healing
Gracious God, you created all people in your image, diverse and united in dignity, reflecting your boundless creativity and unwavering love. We pray for those who seek healing and wholeness through gender-affirming care, especially trans youth facing misunderstanding and barriers to compassionate treatment. Grant wisdom to caregivers and courage to advocates, so that they may offer care rooted in truth and compassion. May we, like Jesus, who welcomed the marginalized and restored the vulnerable, bear witness to your mercy and grace; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Religious Freedom and Just Use of Public Funds
O God of all nations and all people, we give you thanks for the gift of religious freedom in this land. We lament the rising tide of Christian nationalism and efforts to use public funds to promote one faith above others. Help us defend the right of all to worship freely, or not at all. Grant wisdom to our courts, and courage to our citizens. Through Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, who welcomes all into God’s embrace. Amen.
For Those Facing Financial Hardship
O God our Provider, you gave manna to your people in the wilderness. You brought water from the rock for the thirsty children of Israel. Be near to those who struggle to make ends meet and who fear even greater insecurity in view of economic and budget policies that will shape the future. As you sustained your people in desert places, sustain and comfort us in this uncertain time. Through Jesus Christ, our peace and our daily bread. Amen.
