from Caroline Wallace
Heavenly Father, Loving God, Lord of lords and king of kings,
While we acknowledge the tough times we are currently facing, we are thankful for the privileges that many of us have: Free or affordable education, employment, roofs over our heads, and our friends and family.
There are many more things for us to be thankful for. You have always been good to us even when we repeatedly fail you and each other.
Father, it looks like there is no end to the current troubles being experienced in the US and around the globe. There seems to be no end to racial and gender inequality, or various forms of oppression at different levels of society.
People do not seem to be learning from history as it keeps repeating itself.
At a time when we all need to be united, there appears to be more division than ever before! There seems to be more misunderstanding and warring between governments and individuals, which gives the impression of very dark ages ahead of us rather than behind us.
Lord, help us all to hold onto you and find peace in this imperfect world.
Help us to receive these challenging times as opportunities to trust you.
We ask that you give world leaders the strength and wisdom they need to confront today’s problems. Help them put aside their own pre-conceived ideas, expectations, or agendas and enable them to empathise with marginalised communities and carefully listen to their stories of desperation.
We also pray for influential companies and organisations everywhere.
Enable them to pool their resources and respond to the plight of those who have been overlooked, underestimated, rejected, abused, or dominated.
We may not know what the future holds for us, but we have faith that you will continue to sustain us no matter what we go through.
In a world that often projects hate and violence, you are a God of mercy, of justice, of hope, and of peace. You are also a God of forgiveness and second chances, of unconditional love, and deliverance.
We pray that you deliver us from all the evil that we are witnessing now and remind us once again of your glorious presence through your healing hand upon humankind.
In the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.