Holy Spirit, Ground of our Being, we ask you to give our political leaders the humility to show restraint during deliberations about the use of force, and patience in current diplomatic negotiations across the globe. We especially ask You to touch their hearts and minds as they perpetuate devastating war and violence in a world that yearns for peace and the grace that peace brings. Make us mindful of the ways in which we can bring Your love to the world around us. Gather and lead us to work to end the madness of wars and violence, so that we...
Divine and Human Jesus, how many moments of darkness and terror have been endured in war-torn nations? How much blood has been shed? How many lives have been shattered by violence? How many hopes have been buried under the pain and rubble? Let there be a movement of compassion that leads us to initiate concrete action to achieve an equitable justice for the peoples of the world. Guide us toward justice and peace for those who live under the overwhelming reality of violence, for those who have become refugees from their homes due to wars of aggression, for those who...
O God, who dwells within us, we come to you from a place of struggle and fear. We pray for peace within our families and friends, within our local, national and world communities, and within the entire web of life. Empower us with courage, wisdom, and strength so that, beginning with peace in our hearts, that peace may flow out into the world. Help us to speak honestly to each other, with respect and an acceptance of the value and dignity of everyone. Give us the strength and perseverance to choose conversations to promote better understanding, rather than hatred and...
Last updated: May 17, 2026 I recently came across this quote from Toni Morrison on Instagram and immediately wanted to include it in my upcoming book, Women Give Voice to Wisdom. [Update: Women Give Voice to Wisdom now available on Amazon here.] This is the final quote I selected for the book, and all of the permissions to use excerpts from the writings of other women are now solid and in place. Thank God – that took forever!! The story behind this quote is that Toni Morrison was complaining to a friend, after George W. Bush won the presidency in...
When I volunteered to lead morning prayer last Sunday, I had no idea that the subject of the readings would be the apocalypse. The Old Testament reading was from Daniel, chapter 12: ”At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some...
