Hey friend! Today’s challenge is to take a look at Luke 1:49. It’s a great reminder to think about how we celebrate God. Do we only praise Him when things go our way, or do we do it in every situation? Right now, no matter what’s happening in your life, take a moment to praise Him. 💕✌️🙏
Dear Spirit of Peace and Presence, you who gather us in silence and in song, In meeting rooms and sanctuaries, in homes and on screens— We offer this prayer for all places of worship, And especially for the Champaign-Urbana Society of Friends, As they prepare to enter another sacred rhythm of community.
Bless the voices that will rise in hymn at 10:00 AM, May their melodies knit hearts together in joy and reverence, And may the commons become a space of welcome and warmth.
As the formal meeting for worship begins at 10:30 AM, We ask that Your Spirit move gently among those gathered— In the quiet, in the waiting, in the words spoken from the heart. May those in person and those joining via Zoom Feel equally held in Your presence, And may each message shared be a thread in the tapestry of grace.
At 11:30 AM, as names are spoken and announcements shared, Let introductions be more than formality— Let them be invitations to deeper connection, To belonging, to mutual care, to the joy of being known.
We lift up the children and young learners, As First Day School pauses for the summer. May their days be filled with wonder and rest, And may their return on September 7th be met with open arms and renewed joy.
We give thanks for the fellowship that follows worship, For the simple grace of refreshments and conversation, For the laughter, the listening, the lingering presence of love.
And as the week unfolds, May every gathering—whether in a chapel, a mosque, a temple, or a meetinghouse— Be a sanctuary of peace, A place where wounds are tended, Where truth is spoken gently, And where the Divine is felt in every breath.
Bless our endeavors with divine success, And may we walk forward with unity, purpose, and grace.
May peace prevail. Amen 💕✌️🙏
What are the obstacles that prevent you from pursuing your dreams? 💕✌️🙏
Dear God of mercy and light, who transcends borders and headlines, we come before you with reverence, bearing the weight of a world in turmoil and the yearning for peace that only your Spirit can fulfill.
We lift up the people of Texas, as new congressional maps deepen the divide. May fairness guide the hands that draw these lines and may representation reflect the dignity of every voice. Let democracy be shaped by justice, not partisanship.
We hold close Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a father, a migrant, and a man caught in the machinery of power. As he faces deportation to Uganda, may truth be honored, and mercy prevail. Protect him from harm and grant wisdom to those who hold his fate.
We pray for clarity and integrity as accusations swirl and raids unfold. May justice be pursued without vengeance, and may leaders be held accountable not by rumor but by truth and law.
We grieve for Ukraine, where maternity hospitals have become battlegrounds, and the birth of new life is shadowed by fear. O God, shelter the mothers, newborns, and healers. Let peace return to the places meant for joy, and may the cries of the innocent be heard and answered.
We ask for protection and understanding as the “sloth fever”—the Oropouche virus—spreads beyond the Amazon. Guide scientists, health workers, and communities so that they may respond with wisdom, compassion, and care. Let vigilance be paired with grace, and may healing come swiftly to those afflicted.
We lift up the city of Chicago and all places threatened by militarized intervention. May leaders seek unity, not control. May communities be strengthened by investment, not intimidation. Let peacekeepers rise from within, and may every neighborhood be a sanctuary of safety and hope.
And in all these things—in every courtroom and clinic, in every shelter and street, in every act of courage and every cry for help—we ask:
May peace prevail. May love be our compass. May justice be our foundation. And may grace be the rhythm by which we live.
Amen 
Hey friend, today’s challenge is to read Luke 1:49. Then, think about what song of praise you can offer to the Mighty One, even if you’re not sure what He’s up to in your life. 💕✌️🙏
Dear God of justice and mercy, you who reside in the realm of discernment and the tempest of upheaval, we come before you with reverence, bearing the weight of global headlines and the anguish of humanity.
We lift up our nation as investigations unfold and power dynamics shift. May truth be pursued with integrity, and justice neither be weaponized nor withheld. Let those entrusted with authority be guided by wisdom, and humility temper ambition.
We pray for economic stewards, as Chair Powell and the Federal Reserve navigate the uncharted territory of uncertainty. May decisions be made with compassion for the vulnerable, and a balance struck between growth and empathy. Let financial policy serve the common good, not merely the privileged few.
We hold close the streets of Washington, D.C., where the National Guard now stands armed. May peace be preserved, not provoked. Let safety be rooted in trust, and every citizen feel protected, not policed.
We cry out for Gaza, where famine has now been confirmed. O God, break the blockade of indifference. Let aid flow freely, and hearts be moved to action. May the suffering be recognized, and the world respond not with delay but with urgency.
We honor the caregivers, such as the woman who has dedicated her life to serving older Americans for decades, now facing displacement and uncertainty. May her story awaken us to the dignity of labor and the sacredness of those who serve quietly, faithfully, and with love. Let compassion guide our policies, and no one be cast aside for political expediency.
We reflect on the shifting landscape of college sports, where profit and power threaten the very essence of the game. May integrity return to the field, and young athletes be honored not solely for their talent but also for their humanity.
And in all these matters—in every courtroom and classroom, in every deployment and decision, in every cry for help and every act of courage—we ask:
May peace prevail. May love be our language, may justice be our compass, and may grace be the rhythm by which we live. Amen
Hey Friend! Today’s challenge is to take a moment to read Luke 1:49. Then, let’s think about all the amazing things God has done for you during tough times. Remember to express your gratitude for His love and care. 💕✌️🙏
How do you stay motivated when working toward long-term goals? 💕✌️🙏
Dear God of justice and mercy, you who hold the scales of truth and the winds of change, we come before you with reverence, bearing the weight of headlines and the quiet burdens of our hearts.
We lift up the courts and leaders, as verdicts are overturned and power shifts. May justice not be reduced to strategy, and may truth be honored beyond politics. Let integrity guide every ruling, and humility temper every celebration.
We pray for California and all places where maps are redrawn, where lines on paper shape lives in practice. May redistricting be done with wisdom, not for gain, but for representation. Let every vote matter, and every voice be heard.
We cry out for Gaza, where the threat of catastrophe looms heavy. O God, protect the innocent, shield the weary, and soften the hearts of those who hold the power to destroy. Let diplomacy rise above destruction, and may peace be more than a pause—it must be a promise.
We hold in prayer the tension between leadership and economy, as pressure mounts and tempers flare. Guide Chair Powell and all who steward financial stability. May decisions be made with discernment, and may the vulnerable not be forgotten in the calculus of policy.
We give thanks for the retreat of Hurricane Erin, even as its waves still batter the coast. Protect those rebuilding, and grant rest to those who have weathered the storm. Let nature remind us of our fragility and of your power to calm even the fiercest winds.
And in all these things—in every courtroom and coastline, in every chamber and shelter, in every act of courage and every cry for help—we ask:
May peace fill our hearts, love guide our steps, and grace fill our lives. Amen
Whispers of Grace 