Public Policy and Witness Weekly Prayers – April 11
If the Lord had not been my help,
my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence.
When I thought, “My foot is slipping,”
your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.
When the cares of my heart are many,
your consolations cheer my soul. (Psalm 94:17-19)
We invite you to join us as we share new prayers each week for the vulnerable among us facing challenges, fears, and threats. We will name many of the harms unfolding around us and acknowledge what is being erased, lost, and threatened.
Please join us in prayer and share these prayers with your dioceses and parishes.
We are one church united in prayer, naming reality in the face of lies, creating space for grief in the face of denial, and freeing space in our souls for hope. We gather to be the body of Christ for one another—bearing one another’s burdens—and pointing the world to the cross and its redemptive power already at work through our witness (even when it may not feel like it).
These prayers are not a replacement for action; they offer grounding and space to discern what actions each of us feel compelled to take. We may feel called to meet with or contact our elected officials, participate in community organizing, provide services to those in our communities, or join in protests or acts of civil disobedience.
As a church, our advocacy continues, and we invite you to join us. The Episcopal Public Policy Network has weekly action alerts, resources, webinars, and trainings. Learn more here.
Prayers for April 11
Prayer for Survivors of Sexual Assault
Comforting God, as the nation marks National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, be with all who have survived sexual violence and assault. We lament the ways that patriarchy and other systems of oppression in our churches and society have contributed to a culture where so many are violated. We ask that policymakers focus on supporting survivors and holding perpetrators accountable, and not on scapegoating or advancing other agendas. Amen.
Prayer for Haiti
Loving God, we ask for your protection upon the residents of Haiti as gang violence, government instability, and food insecurity continue to afflict them. Be with those who are displaced from their homes, those who are struggling to meet basic needs, and those who are attempting to create security and safety. Empower and activate organizations and governments that have the capacity to help. Guide all of us in discerning and advocating for a just, sustainable future for Haiti. Amen.
Prayer for South Sudanese Nationals
Welcoming God, we lament the recent decision by the Secretary of State to revoke the visas of South Sudanese citizens in the United States. We pray for the safety and comfort of the South Sudanese who are in the U.S. and those who are waiting to come to this country. We ask you to guide world and domestic leaders to act justly and follow your call to welcome the stranger and treat the foreigner in our midst with respect and love. Amen.
Prayer for Good Governance
Holy One, rock of our salvation: We raise to you our concerns that the foundations of our democratic republic are being attacked and disregarded. We pray for all in government to respect the freedom of the press, a foundation of our democracy. We lament the attacks on the free and fair press, including the cancellation of government-run news programs providing accurate information to those in authoritarian countries, leaving many with no source of vital information. May those in power remember their duty to uphold the principles that contribute to the pursuit of justice, equality, and protection from harm, and the importance of the press and freedom of information. Amen.
Prayer for Maternal Health
Heavenly Parent, we raise up our concerns for those who are about to give birth or who recently gave birth. We lament that the United States has a higher rate for maternal mortality than other large, industrialized countries, and we lament the ways that systemic racism exacerbates this problem for people of color. We thank you for raising up leaders who are pushing for change. Inspire your church to join our voices with theirs. Amen.
Contact:
The Office of Government Relations
eppn@episcopalchurch.org