“Who is so hurt I may not know their heartache?” asks the old hymn I Would Be True.
- We pray today for the heartbreak of the world. For the heartbreak of those who struggle with over 100 thousand gallons of oil poured from a broken pipeline…who struggle with the devastating effects on one of the world’s great landscapes, the Pacific Coast of the United States…who struggle with the deadly effects on the wildlife of the region…who struggle with how to set sane energy policy that neither stifles industry nor condemns whole regions of flora and fauna.
- We pray for the people of Palmyra, Syria. As their legitimate authority confines them within the city, their invading authority coerces and confuses them. May we empathize with their terror and find ways to support peace in their time and in their land.
“Who sings for joy our hearts may never share?” asks the same old hymn.
- Our prayers go out for places where we can see wise preparation taking place in our world. To the United Nations, for instance, where a significant fund of $100 million has been established to combat epidemics such as Ebola.
- We pray for condition-free peace talks in Yemen resuming on 28 May. Let us remember and be grateful that our own joy is built with promising changes everywhere.
“Who in God’s heaven has passed beyond our vision?” continues the hymnist.
- We pray that we grow ever closer to being able to answer, “No one”. As political campaigns ramp up, we pray that we recognize that more than one path may lead forward. We pray truly to feel that love of country and love of community can take many forms. As political decisions such as changes in trade relationships are argued, we pray for wise leadership and conscientious followership. As momentous diplomacy governing nuclear weapons is considered by Iran, the United States and other countries, we pray for careful balance between large ends and smaller means.
“Who walks Hell’s depths where we may never fare?” completes this set of hymn questions.
- We pray for the courage to hear the voices the damaged girls captured so long ago in Nigeria by Boku Haram. We pray for the conviction to shore up protections for healthcare workers and disaster recovery workers wherever the need for their services develops.
- We pray that we may grow until we express the truth that those who trust us need for us to embody. You have given us visions to teach us what we can and should do. We pray now for the strength to do it. Amen
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