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Hey friend, let’s take a moment to read Proverbs 4:23. It’s all about guarding our hearts. After you read it, think about what you can do to protect your heart. Then, make a commitment to God and let’s pray about it together. 💕✌️🙏

How do you embrace your flaws while still striving for self-improvement? 💕✌️🙏

Dear Spirit of Compassion and Truth, you reside in every courtroom and every kitchen,

In the dust of Gaza and the potholes of South Texas,

In the courage of the deported and the conscience of the lone lawmaker—

We come to You today with hearts open and trembling,

Carrying the weight of injustice, the ache of division,

And the quiet hope that peace might still prevail.

We lift up Jaime Galvan Sanchez and his family,

Wrongfully deported, then returned with an ankle monitor and uncertainty.

May their home be a sanctuary, not a prison.

May their courage be met with justice,

And may every family navigating shifting immigration policies Find strength, dignity, and protection.

We pray for the guardians of transparency,

As the appeals court rules against efforts to conceal federal spending data.

Let truth be upheld,

And may the balance of power remain rooted in accountability, not secrecy.

We hold in prayer the Texas Democrats who fled the state,

And the one who stayed behind—Rep. Richard Peña Raymond—

Speaking truth in quiet halls, building bridges where others built walls.

May conscience be honored,

And may democracy be defended not just in protest, but in presence.

We remember the cities bracing for a shaky economy,

Where fewer trash pickups and more potholes mark the strain of budget cuts.

May leaders find wisdom to serve the whole,

And may communities rise to care for one another amid scarcity.

For all beings—the grieving and the rejoicing,

The powerful and the powerless,

The seen and the unseen—

May peace prevail.

May love lead.

May hope endure. Amen

Dear Eternal Spirit, You who gather us from many paths into one sacred presence, We lift our hearts in gratitude for the spaces where silence speaks, Where song rises, and where fellowship deepens.

Bless all places of worship this week— From grand cathedrals to quiet meetinghouses, From bustling sanctuaries to humble living rooms joined by Zoom. May each gathering be a vessel of Your peace, And may every soul feel welcomed, seen, and held.

We give thanks for the Champaign-Urbana Society of Friends, For the voices that will rise in hymn at 10:00 AM, For the silence that will settle at 10:30, And for the Spirit that moves gently among those gathered in person and online.

May the communal silence be rich with Your presence, A space where hearts listen, where truth is spoken without words, And where unity is felt across distance and difference.

Bless the time of introductions and announcements, That it may strengthen bonds and nurture shared purpose. Though children’s programming rests for the season, May the joy of their presence still echo in our hearts.

We give thanks for the refreshments and conversations to follow, For the laughter, the stories, the gentle unfolding of community. And we lift up the Adult Religious Education Committee, As they guide thoughtful discussion and deepen our understanding.

May all who enter these sacred spaces—this week and always— Find rest for their spirits, courage for their journeys, And love that transcends every boundary.

Let our worship be a reflection of Your grace, Our fellowship a mirror of Your compassion, And our lives a testament to Your enduring light. Amen 💕✌️🙏

Hey friend! Today’s challenge is to take a look at Proverbs 4:23. It’s a great reminder to live in a way that’s true to our hearts. If you’re not, take a moment to think about why. And how can the Holy Spirit help you protect your heart today? 💕✌️🙏

Dear Divine Justice and Mercy, we address you today with hearts both heavy and open, burdened by the weight of ongoing conflicts, ambitions, and yearnings. We seek your guidance in the pursuit of peace amidst these turbulent times.

We extend our prayers to the people of Ukraine, where President Zelensky resolutely rejects any proposals to cede their land to Russia. We implore that sovereignty be upheld, and peace be pursued without compromising the dignity of any nation. Let no voice be silenced in the name of expedience.

In Gaza, where the future remains uncertain and the forces that may shape it swirl around, we pray for justice to guide every decision. May the voices of Palestinians not be drowned out by distant agendas.

We hold in prayer those affected by the shifting tides of policy, particularly those considering the reclassification of marijuana as a less dangerous drug. We emphasize the importance of prioritizing healing over punishment, and we urge compassion to shape the laws that impact our bodies and minds.

We remember the lawmakers in Texas, where a judge has blocked Beto O’Rourke from financially supporting Democrats who have fled the state. We urge conscience not to be punished, and we emphasize the importance of strengthening democracy through dialogue rather than litigation.

We lift up the millions breathing smoke-filled air as wildfires blanket vast regions of the United States in haze. We pray for the protection of their lungs, the shielding of the vulnerable, and the urgent need to learn to care for the Earth as tenderly as we care for one another.

We reflect on the quiet ache of belonging, as sorority-rush coaching rises and friendship becomes a commodity. We urge every soul to recognize their worthiness of connection, not based on their appearance or financial status, but based on their inherent value.

For all beings—the grieving and the rejoicing, the powerful and the powerless, the seen and the unseen—we pray for peace to prevail. May love lead, and may hope endure. Amen

How do you balance between your private self and the version of yourself you present to the world? 💕✌️🙏

Dear Divine Presence, in the silence between heartbeats, in the breath of the trees and the cry of the oppressed, we come to you with open hearts and weary souls.

Bless all beings—human and more-than-human—who walk, crawl, fly, swim, and bloom. May your mercy transcend borders, across deserts and oceans, across time and memory.

We lift up the leaders and lawmakers, particularly those in Texas, Indiana, and across this nation, grappling with maps and power. May justice—not ambition—guide their pens. Let redistricting not be a tool of division, but a canvas for representation and dignity.

We pray for Gaza, where the dust of ancient cities mingles with the cries of the present. As plans unfold to control and occupy, may wisdom rise above vengeance, and may the children of Gaza know peace, not as a distant dream, but as a daily bread.

We remember the land scorched by fire—the Canyon blaze that devours homes and memories in California. For those evacuated, for the firefighters, for the wildlife fleeing unseen, may your breath be cool and your presence near.

We pray for the farmers, the workers, and the families who feel the sting of rising costs—cars, coffee, clothing—as tariffs reshape the rhythm of daily life. May compassion temper policy, and may abundance be shared, not hoarded.

We honor the journey of one man reclaiming family land in the South, a legacy born of resilience, rooted in the soil of struggle. May all who seek to restore what was lost find strength in community and healing in justice.

And for the nourishment of our bodies, we reflect on the 55% of calories from ultraprocessed foods. May we awaken to the sacredness of what we consume, choosing life-giving sustenance over convenience, and may our tables become altars of wholeness.

In all things, may peace prevail. Not the peace of silence or surrender, but the peace born of truth, courage, and love. May it rise like morning light over every land and dwell in every heart. Amen

What is one thing you’ve learned about yourself this year?

Hey friend, let’s take a moment to read Proverbs 4:23. It’s a powerful reminder that protecting our hearts is super important right now. Think about something you’re going through and how this verse can help you stay strong. 💕✌️🙏