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 September 26
For God’s Peace in the Wake of Violence and Fear
God of peace, who breaks down the dividing walls of hostility, we bring before you the pain and grief brought by escalating tensions on immigration. Lord, we pray for peace and understanding to prevail. Heal the wounds of those who are hurting, and hold close the souls of those lost in the wake of violence and fear. Be near to families separated by tragedy and uncertainty, offering your comfort and protection. Soothe angry hearts and silence words that inflame hatred or division. May your Holy Spirit guide us toward justice, reconciliation, and the dignity of every person—so that our communities might reflect your love for the captive and the vulnerable. Through Jesus Christ, your Son, who is our peace and has reconciled us to you in one body through the cross. Amen.
For the Awareness of Scientific Consensus and Shielding from Unnecessary Pain
O God of truth, who cannot lie, you shine light into the world so that your people may walk without fear. Amid confusion and the spread of misinformation, we pray for women and families, that they may be upheld by your truth, shielded from unnecessary fear and pain, and guided toward safe and reliable life-giving choices. Protect the vulnerable from unfounded claims that distort science, endanger health, and create harm. Fortify medical voices who agree in opinion, labor for the good of all, and offer healing. Through Jesus Christ, your Son, who is the truth and in whom your light shines. Amen.
For the Lives Affected by Political Decisions
Almighty God, who hears the cry of the poor, we see how public words become weapons, how plans to cut and cancel ripple into real lives. We remember those who never make the headlines—families dependent on public health, preventive care, and chronic-disease programs that face the threat of cuts; people struggling as health care coverage hangs in the debate; those struggling to feed their family and whose documented needs are among data that is being erased from public view. Forgive us when we lose sight of faces behind political debate. Grant us compassion and courage to speak for those without a voice. Shape leaders’ hearts, that they do not wield power cheaply. Hold fast your people in uncertainty; and in your mercy, redeem what is being lost. We ask this through Jesus, who fed the hungry and gave rest to the weary, the living sign of your compassion. Amen.
For The People of the Democratic Republic of Congo Seeking Peace
God of the oppressed, who hear the cry of the afflicted, you stand opposed to war and all violent acts that wound the vulnerable and the land. We pray for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who continue to suffer from militia violence and unending conflict. Though peace deals have been made, little has changed. O God, secure a lasting peace for the Democratic Republic of Congo and mercifully tend to all who are injured or grieving. We ask this through Jesus Christ your Son, who committed no violence but bore violence in his own body, and now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
