Category: Uncategorized

Dear Holy and Ever-Present Spirit, as we enter this new week, we lift up every place where hearts gather to seek You—in sanctuaries, meeting rooms, homes, and quiet corners of the soul. We especially hold the Champaign-Urbana Society of Friends in prayer, as they prepare to welcome all into a space of song, silence, and sacred listening.

Bless the hymn singing at 10:00 AM in the commons area. May each voice—whether strong or soft—rise in harmony, echoing the joy of shared devotion. As the formal meeting for worship begins at 10:30 AM, we ask that Your Spirit guide the silence, filling it with wisdom, comfort, and revelation. Whether present in person or joining through Zoom, may each participant feel deeply connected to the divine and to one another.

We pray for the time of introductions and announcements at 11:30 AM. Let it be a moment of warmth, welcome, and shared purpose. And as Potluck Sunday draws near, may the meal and fellowship reflect the abundance of Your love. Bless every dish, every conversation, and every soul who gathers—whether they bring food or simply their presence.

We also lift up the children, who during summer worship services may not be engaged in formal programming. May they still feel the gentle pull of Your Spirit in their play, their wonder, and their unfolding sense of belonging.

Lord, may all our worship—across traditions and expressions—be rooted in unity, humility, and joy. Guide our steps this week with purpose. Bless our endeavors with divine success. And let every gathering be a reflection of Your kingdom on earth. Amen 💕✌️🙏

Dear Spirit of Compassion and Truth, you reside in every courtroom and every wilderness. In the broken horn and the broken heart, in the cries for justice and the longing for peace, we lift our voices to you today. We carry the weight of sorrow, the ache of injustice, and the hope that still dares to rise.

We pray for those whose legal defenses are slipping away as law firms retreat under pressure and fear. May the vulnerable not be left voiceless, and may justice never be a privilege reserved for the powerful. Let courage rise in the hearts of those who defend the defenseless, and may truth find its way through every locked door.

We hold in prayer the investigators and the accused as the Office of Special Counsel opens a Hatch Act probe into Jack Smith. May integrity guide every inquiry, and may the pursuit of accountability be rooted in fairness, not vengeance.

We mourn the lives lost in Montana, where a gunman shattered peace in a bar and left four souls behind. We name the grief that lingers in Anaconda and pray for safety, healing, and the swift end to fear. Let communities be restored, and may violence never be mistaken for strength.

We lift up Gaza, where rare aerial images reveal the scale of displacement and destruction. May aid reach the hungry, may shelter find the displaced, and may peace be more than a distant dream.

We give thanks for the boldness of science, as rhino horns are made radioactive to deter poachers. May this innovation protect the innocent, and may creation be honored, not exploited. Let every creature be safe beneath your sky.

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

Hey friend, let’s take a moment to reflect on your “waiting room” experiences. What did you learn from them? 💕✌️🙏

How do you feel about the changes that come with aging and life transitions? 💕✌️🙏

Hey friend, let’s tackle today’s challenge! Read Galatians 5:7 and jot down the things or people that Satan tries to distract you from your goals. Ask God to help you spot Satan’s sneaky tactics. 💕✌️🙏

Dear Divine Presence, in the silence between sirens, in the breath of a newborn and the ache of a grieving heart, in the rising tide of justice and the quiet hope of peace, we lift our voices to you today. Not in fear, but in longing; not in despair, but in sacred trust.

We pray for the weary hands of laborers, as the U.S. job market falters under the weight of new tariffs. Let not policy eclipse dignity. May every worker be seen, valued, and sustained.

We hold the global economy in our hearts, as a delayed shock ripples across nations. Switzerland reels from a 39% tariff no one foresaw, and in lands Trump says “nobody’s heard of,” chaos unfolds. May wisdom temper ambition, and may nations remember their shared humanity.

We lift up Gaza, where U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff walks among the hungry. Let aid be more than a gesture; let it be a lifeline. May every child be fed, every elder comforted, and may peace not be postponed by politics.

We mourn the lives lost in New York, where a gunman fired 47 rounds into the heart of a city. We name the fallen: Didarul Islam, Wesley LePatner, Aland Etienne, and Julia Hyman. Let their memory be a call to compassion, and may violence never be mistaken for strength.

We pray for law enforcement leaders, as ICE recruitment efforts sow division and resentment. Let partnerships be built on trust, not exploitation. May those who serve be honored, not poached.

We lament the erasure of truth, as the Smithsonian removes Trump’s name from its impeachment exhibit. History is not a canvas for convenience. Let memory be sacred, and truth be told—even when it is uncomfortable.

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

How does your sense of identity impact your relationships? 💕✌️🙏

Hey Friend! Today’s challenge is to take a look at Galatians 5:7. After reading it, let’s think about the areas where we tend to get sidetracked from following the truth. How can we make sure we don’t fall into the same trap again? 💕✌️🙏

Dear Divine Presence, You reside in the very fabric of existence, encompassing every tremor and every moment of tranquility. From the tempestuous seas to the hushed confines of cinema theaters, from the pressing questions of justice to the yearning for peace, we humbly seek Your guidance and solace.

We extend our heartfelt support to the hardworking families navigating the treacherous waters of international trade, as the ongoing tariff negotiations and legal complexities pose significant challenges. May wisdom be the guiding light for those shaping economic policies, and may fairness—not fear—be the bedrock upon which every transaction is built.

We remember the esteemed tea farmers of Japan, whose generations-old craft have been profoundly affected by the escalating costs of their labor. Let their contributions be honored, their traditions preserved, and the world never forget the quiet dignity of those who sustain our sustenance.

We extend our prayers to the communities along the I-95 corridor, where flash floods pose imminent threats to homes, commutes, and tranquility. May safety be swiftly restored to those in peril, and may neighbors become steadfast lifelines during this storm.

We hold in prayer the immigrants detained without just cause, as enforcement measures expand and compassion seems to wane. May mercy be the compass that guides policy, and may every soul be recognized not merely as a case but as a cherished creation of Your divine design.

We grieve the hostages still held captive in Gaza, and the families who patiently await their release. As leaders espouse the aspirations for recognition and peace, let justice not be overlooked, and may no path to statehood be paved with silence.

We marvel at the immense power of the earth, as one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded leaves minimal damage. May this serve as a poignant reminder of the resilience of nature and the mysteries that still elude our understanding.

We express gratitude for the shared joy found in the realm of storytelling, as the younger generation of Gen Z gathers in theaters, reciting pledges and discovering a sense of belonging. May art continue to foster unity, and may every seat be a sanctuary for wonder.

For all beings—the grieving and the joyful, the powerful and the vulnerable, the seen and the unseen—may peace prevail. May love be the guiding light, and may hope endure. Amen

What areas of your life do you feel need more attention for growth? 💕✌️🙏