Prayer for Peace in Gaza, in the West Bank and in Israel In the days of the prophet Habakkuk, God spoke of stones crying out against oppression and violence. Centuries later, as Jesus entered Jerusalem, he told the Pharisees that if his followers were silent, the very stones would shout aloud in …
Prayers
Responding Prayerfully to the Assisted Dying Bill
Following the recent vote on "The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill" in the House of Commons, I know that people with a wide range of lived experiences and perspectives are feeling anxious. In his blog on the bill, JPIT's Steve Tinning pointed to the need to 'continue to listen and engage …
Preparing for the 2024 General Election: Praying and Preaching
“How you doin’?” This famous line from Joey, played by Matt LeBlanc in the late 90s and early 2000s American sitcom Friends, often brings a smile to those who recall the antics that would entail. When we are asked this simple question, our programmed responses are usually, "I’m fine, thanks. How …
Ukraine – Two tragic years
We are two years on from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We might refer to this as President Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, firstly because leadership matters in every national context and secondly because Putin has amassed power around him providing him with unchallengeable …
Penalties, Racism and Healing
The chants rose from football fans in England this past weekend. England had reached the finals of the European Championship against Italy, the first time in the final of a major tournament in 55 years. After 120 minutes of regulation and extra time, it came down to this: the fate of a dramatic …
Advent 1: Prince of Peace
I felt like it was a dream, I told myself ‘you are not seeing this, this is not happening.’ When I was coming back there was a confrontation between the armed people and the military and I saw eight people lying dead by the side of the road, and I had to stay there for about an hour to wait for a …
Prayer for the Black Lives Matter movement
Loving God, As the sins of systemic racism and police brutality rear their heads once more,meet us in our anger, sorrow, and frustration.Guard us from indifference, ignorance and silence. As Black lives continue to be taken too soon, and because all were named and loved, we lift names …
Flooding in Nabuna Village, Fiji
Julia Edwards writes from Nabuna Village, Fiji, as they respond to flooding risks increased by climate change. Naomi Navica-Soga, 37, is a lecturer at Tavua College and resident of Nabuna Village in Northern Vitilevu. She moved to Nabuna 16 years ago when she married and she now has five …
Prayers ahead of the Brexit vote
This prayer was written by Rev. Martin Johnstone, Secretary to the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland. God,who in Jesus,broke down all barriers,between people of different racesrich and poor,male and female,Jew and Gentile,between heaven and earth,we worship …
An Epiphany Prayer
Epiphany God, As we reflect today on how a major incident involving migrants brings Christmas to an abrupt end, we pray for your world. God whose light draws travellers, be with all who journey seeking something better whether by camel, carload or dinghy. God of the truth-seekers, save …