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 Victims of Crime and Violence
Loving God, who weeps with those who cry out in grief and stands near the brokenhearted, we pray for all victims of crime and violence, for those who have died and for those left behind with wounds and anguish. Grant rest to the dead and comfort to the living. In your infinite love, care for those whose lives have been torn apart by violence—victims of mass shootings and daily acts of crime; those harmed in violence connected to immigration enforcement; law enforcement officers killed or assaulted in the line of duty; and family and communities left grieving in their wake. Help us, O Lord, to put systems of prevention and care in place, so that we can better halt violence before it occurs and give us wisdom to pursue justice without vengeance. Where one person weeps for a loved one who has died, may your whole church weep with them. Give us grace and strength to stand with all suffering people through the power of your Spirit who works within us. Grant this, we pray, through your Son Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Amen.
For Those Whose Trust is Exploited
God of truth, whose law forbids us from defrauding our neighbor and whose love draws near to the exploited, we pray for all victims of financial fraud and deception. We pray especially for those most vulnerable among us, as increasingly sophisticated technologies are used to impersonate, manipulate, and extort, deepening the loss of trust that so many feel. In your mercy, surround them with communities of support. God, turn our hearts away from greed, ridicule, and disregard for our suffering neighbors and toward your love which transforms the world. We also remember those who have been coerced into perpetuating scams and held captive by criminal networks. Bring what is hidden into your light, and frustrate the works of greed, so that no one may profit from the vulnerable. We ask this in the name of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
For the Quiet Work of Justice and Transparency
God of mercy, whose justice is revealed in your many marvelous works, we give you thanks for those who perform the quiet work of making our government’s decisions transparent and accountable, seeking to ensure that our governing authorities act justly. We lament failures and reductions in transparency in the government. We also lament actions by leaders that appear to serve the interest of the powerful few rather than the protection and flourishing of all people. Bless the work of all civil servants who work toward our country living up to its highest ideals, that our common life might flourish through our mutual support and love for each other. Grant this through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in perfect justice and mercy. Amen.
