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 16
Prayer for EMM and all refugees around the world
Transcendent God, we give you thanks for the refugee resettlement work of Episcopal Migration Ministries and its affiliates over 40 years, and for the nearly 110,000 refugees who have become beloved members of our communities as result of this work. We pray for those refugees whom EMM has welcomed and supported, those who are still waiting to be resettled, and those whose path is now more uncertain than ever. Your son, Jesus Christ, taught us to show love and respect to all people, including immigrants and refugees. Your Spirit calls us into relationships that transcend borders. And all for your name’s sake. Amen.
Prayer for Those in Immigration Detention
God of all consolation, our hearts break for the individuals currently held in immigration detention in the U.S. and abroad. We grieve the deaths in ICE (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) custody, and we mourn with those feeling fear and pain. Send your spirit of mercy and wisdom upon those in power, that they may safeguard the human rights and dignity of those detained. Strengthen those who work and advocate for the release of those unjustly detained and for reform of the immigration system, in the name of your son, Jesus, who sets the captives free. Amen.
Prayer for government free of corruption
O Lord our governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations. Press the conscience of everyone who holds political power, including the president, to avoid corruption and to stay true to their charge of effecting good government throughout the nation. Amen.
Prayer for Myanmar
God of justice, we pray for the residents of Myanmar who continue to suffer the dual burdens of civil war and a devastating earthquake. We grieve with those who have been injured or killed in the conflict, which this week included schoolchildren. In the name of Jesus, who lived under a repressive military government when he took on flesh, we ask for your presence and protection to be felt. Guide those who are working for peace and human rights in Myanmar. Amen.
Prayer for Peace Talks with Ukraine
God of peace, be with the government of Ukraine as it enters a new phase of peace talks. Jesus, we know that in your Father’s kingdom no weapons are drawn, and power is measured by the power of your love. Be with those in authority as they seek to effect a lasting peace modeled on your justice. Amen.
