Praying for our broken world

This prayer has carried my cries across this past week, offered by Rebecca Stringer, formerly at PasCov, now Pastor at Wellspring Covenant Church in Hawaii:

God of Shalom, hear our prayer. ⁠⁠
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You once likened yourself to a mother hen who wanted to gather her baby chicks to herself to protect them from danger. Will you not do that now? ⁠⁠
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We remember the story of Hagar in scripture-- a woman from a vulnerable people group who was desperate to save her son and herself. Running for her life, she was joyfully surprised when you showed up in the desert, provided her with comfort and care, and revealed yourself to be the God who Sees.⁠⁠
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In your eternal kindness, See now and save the vulnerable! Whether in Kabul, or in rural Afghanistan, or in the rubble of Haiti's towns, protect all who need a safe place. Preserve life. May all who need protection, resources, comfort, medical attention, courage --escape- find what they need supplied for them even in unexpected places. True to your good character, may you show up for a million Hagars in a million places, even when it seems impossible.⁠⁠
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God of justice, thwart the plans of all who who exploit their power over the vulnerable. Cause them to fall into their own traps. Bring chaos to their plans and subvert their schemes. May those who live by the sword find their weapons of warfare insufficient and ineffective to bring about the change they seek. Help them pursue better ways of being and doing in the world.
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God of comfort, bring comfort and your courage to those who are shattered and in shock. Whether in Afghanistan, or Haiti, or in countries around the world hurting for their sisters and brothers, may your Holy Spirit pray and intercede when there are no words left to say. In the name of the One who came so there could be life-- life everlasting, Amen.⁠⁠

Grace and peace,

Anita Sorenson
Pastor for Spiritual Formation