239 vanished. Hundreds more waiting, wondering.
O Lord, hear our prayers.
Britney and Crystal. Beloved, found by the trash.
O Lord, hear our prayers.
Two collapsed. Bricks and mortar and lives.
O Lord, hear our prayers.
One on fire. Countless more burning in silence.
O Lord, hear our prayers.
Ballots readied as gauntlets. Militaries standing by.
O Lord, hear our prayers.
Border walls. Solitary cells. Human family divided.
O Lord, hear our prayers.
For hope, for strength, for wisdom, for compassion,
O Lord, hear our prayers.
We bring to mind’s eye and heart’s care the needs of this planet and its people.
That those in the hard place of waiting for news of their lost loved ones, may find strength,support, and answers,
we pray to you, O Lord.
That talks may continue for justice and peace in Ukraine and Crimea,
we pray to you, O Lord.
That we may take up responsibility for speaking out for working conditions, for equality, for political principles that serve the common good,
we pray to you, O Lord.
For those needing the healing of heart’s hurt,
we pray to you, O Lord.
For the names and places that have slipped out of the headlines, or whose names we have forgotten,
we pray to you, O Lord.
Amen.