Spirit of Peace and Presence, We gather in stillness and song, in silence and spoken word, across meetinghouses and sanctuaries, living rooms and digital spaces. Bless every place of worship this week—each chapel, temple, mosque, synagogue, and meeting room—where hearts turn toward the Divine with longing, gratitude, and hope.
As voices rise in hymn at 10:00 AM, may joy ripple through the communal area, uniting generations in melody and memory. Let the music soften burdens and awaken delight.
At 10:30 AM, as Friends enter the sacred silence, may your Spirit move gently among us— guiding ministry, stirring compassion, and deepening our awareness of your presence. Whether seated in the meeting room or joined through Zoom, may each soul feel held in the light.
At 11:30 AM, as names are shared and announcements offered, bless our introductions with warmth and welcome. May we recognize one another as companions on the journey, each bearing gifts, stories, and sacred worth.
Though First Day School rests for the summer, we lift up the children—those playing, wondering, growing. Prepare their hearts for September’s return, and guide those discerning plans for older youth with wisdom and care.
And as refreshments are shared and fellowship unfolds, may laughter echo, kindness abound, and connections deepen. Let this time nourish not only our bodies, but our spirits.
In all things this week, may unity be our compass, purpose our path, and divine blessing our companion. We walk forward in faith, grateful for the grace that meets us in every moment. Amen 💕✌️🙏
Hey friend, let’s take a moment to read John 14:26. Then, think back to a time when the Holy Spirit reminded you of something you’d learned before. How did that feel? 💕✌️🙏
Dear God of justice and joy, you who reside in the tension between power and humility, between conflict and celebration, we come before you with reverence. We carry the headlines of a world in motion and seek your wisdom to guide our hearts, our leaders, and our communities.
We lift up the courts of our nation, as an appeals court rules that presidential power has limits and that tariffs must be grounded in law, not impulse. May this moment remind us that governance must serve the people and that economic justice must be pursued with integrity, not force. Let truth be upheld, and let the rule of law remain a beacon of hope.
We grieve the violence in Yemen, where an Israeli airstrike has claimed the life of a key Houthi leader, and where conflict continues to ripple across borders and lives. O God, may your peace descend upon the wounded, and may diplomacy rise above destruction. Let every life be honored, and may the cycle of retaliation be broken by grace.
We pray for the people of Missouri, as redistricting efforts stir questions of representation and fairness. May maps be drawn with justice, not manipulation, and may every voice—rural or urban, red or blue—be heard and valued. Let democracy be shaped by the people, not by power.
We pause to celebrate the joy of sport, as Arch Manning steps into the spotlight in a long-awaited moment. May his courage inspire others to rise to their own callings, and may competition be met with respect, unity, and shared celebration. Let the spirit of play remind us that joy, too, is sacred.
And in all these things—in every courtroom and stadium, in every battlefield and ballot box, in every act of courage and every cry for help—we ask:
May peace prevail. May love be our compass. May truth be our foundation. And may grace be the rhythm by which we live. Amen
Dear God of justice and joy, you who hold the weight of nations and the wonder of a single bloom—we come before you with reverence. We carry the headlines of a restless world and seek your guidance amidst power shifts, policy changes, and unexpected grace.
We lift up the halls of governance, where decisions ripple far beyond their chambers. As the White House cancels billions in foreign aid without Congress’s consent, may integrity be restored to the stewardship of resources. Let compassion—not control—guide our global commitments, and may aid reach those whose lives depend on it.
We pray for the people of Texas, as new congressional maps reshape representation. May fairness prevail over partisanship, and may every voice—especially the marginalized—be heard and honored. Let democracy be more than a strategy; let it be a sacred trust.
We hold close the retailers and workers across the globe, as the end of the de minimis exemption stirs panic and uncertainty. May wisdom guide supply chains, and may justice inform economic policy. Let small businesses find resilience, and may consumers not bear the weight of sudden change alone.
We grieve the revocation of visas for Palestinian officials, as diplomacy falters ahead of the United Nations gathering. O God, soften hearts and open doors. Let peace be pursued through dialogue, not denial. May every nation be given space to speak, and may the cries of the oppressed be met with compassion, not silence.
We give thanks for the rose that survived Hurricane Katrina, now blooming across the country as a symbol of hope. Let its petals remind us that beauty can rise from devastation, and that resilience often grows in the soil of sorrow. May we nurture what endures and celebrate the quiet miracles that defy despair.
We find joy in the simple pleasures of life, as exemplified by a nine-year-old TikTok user who transformed a joke into a beverage that has now become a popular product. In a world often plagued by conflict, let us not overlook the transformative power of creativity, the ability to find joy in play, and the unexpected connections that can be made. May these qualities serve as forces for unity, and may we honor the voices of the young who remind us to dream big.
In all aspects of life—in every courtroom, classroom, garden, government, act of courage, and spark of joy—we implore:
May peace prevail. May love guide us, and truth serve as our foundation. May grace be the rhythm that sustains us. Amen
Hey friend, let’s take a moment to read Psalms 18:19. Then, let’s find some inspiration in the words of Psalm 18. Jot down the cool things you learn from it. 💕✌️🙏
Dear God of wisdom and mercy, we come before You with reverence, bearing the weight of a world in flux—a world yearning for justice, clarity, and peace.
We lift up the leaders and workers within the CDC as pressure mounts and resignations unfold. May truth be honored above agendas, and may public health be guided by compassion, science, and integrity. Let courage rise in those who speak truth, and may the vulnerable never be forgotten in the reshaping of policy.
We pray for Lisa Cook, as her lawsuit becomes a battleground for the soul of governance. May justice be done with clarity and care, and may institutions meant to serve the people remain free from manipulation and fear. Let wisdom guide the courts, and may the dignity of every public servant be upheld.
We mourn the lives lost in Minneapolis, where children gathered in prayer and were met with violence. O God, hold their families in Your tender embrace. Let healing rise where trauma lingers, and may communities find strength in compassion, not fear. We remember the words: “I know some kids weren’t going to get up.” May we never grow numb to such sorrow.
We cry out with the people of Kyiv, where missiles shattered lives and diplomacy failed. As European leaders grieve and rage, may unity be forged in the fire of loss. Let peace be more than a distant hope—let it be a shared resolve, born of love and justice.
We reflect on the arrival of new Acela trains, promising speed but revealing delay. May this remind us that progress is not always linear, and that patience, too, is a virtue. Let innovation serve the common good, and may every journey—literal or spiritual—be met with grace.
And in all these things—in every courtroom and classroom, in every sanctuary and summit, in every act of courage and every cry for help—we ask:
May peace prevail. May truth be spoken. May justice be done. And may love be the rhythm by which we live. Amen
Hey friend! Today’s challenge is to take a look at Psalm 18:19. Then, think about when you’ve felt like you were stuck in a corner. Write down the areas where you’d love the Lord to help you feel more free and open. 💕✌️🙏
Dear God of mercy and mystery, You who reside in the depths of sorrow and the heights of discovery, we come before You with reverence, bearing the weight of a world both broken and beautiful, and seeking Your guidance amidst grief, change, and awakening.
We mourn the lives lost in Minneapolis, where violence pierced the sacred space of a Catholic school and church. Two children have gone, and seventeen others remain wounded. O God, hold their families in Your tender embrace. Allow healing to emerge where trauma lingers, and may communities find strength in compassion, not fear.
We lift up the people of Gaza, where hospitals intended to heal have become targets of war. As leaders gather and pressure intensifies, may diplomacy be rooted in justice, and every decision be shaped by the sanctity of life. Let peace transcend mere planning; let it be a fulfilled promise.
We pray for wisdom and clarity as new COVID-19 boosters arrive with limited access. May those most vulnerable be protected, and equity guide our public health decisions. Let science serve compassion, and no one be left behind in the pursuit of wellness.
We honor the courage of Denmark, which has finally apologized to the women of Greenland who endured forced contraception and decades of silence. May this act of truth-telling bring healing, and justice continue to unfold for all who were harmed. Let remembrance lead to restoration.
We marvel at the ancient tropical world beneath Illinois, a hidden story revealed through fossil beds and patient research. Thank You for the wonders still waiting to be discovered, for the reminders that life has always been layered, and that beauty often lies beneath the surface.
We reflect on the rise of “cute debt,” where joy is marketed in installments and freedom is borrowed. May we be wise in our stewardship and gentle with ourselves and others in the face of financial strain. Let dignity guide our choices, and may generosity be born of abundance, not anxiety.
In all these endeavors—in every sanctuary and summit, in every apology and awakening, in every act of courage and every cry for help—we implore:
May peace prevail. May love serve as our guiding principle, May truth serve as our bedrock, and may grace be the rhythm that sustains our lives. Amen
This week’s biblical lesson is derived from the poem “Breathing Under Water,” which I encountered while listening to the podcast “Rethinking God With Tocos.”
Breathing under water
I built my house by the sea.
Not on the sands, mind you; not on the shifting sand.
And I built it of rock.
A strong house, by a strong sea.
And we got well acquainted, the sea and I.
Good neighbors.
Not that we spoke much.
We met in silences.
Respectful, keeping our distance,
but looking our thoughts across the fence of sand.
Always, the fence of sand our barrier,
always, the sand between.
And then one day,
-and I still don’t know how it happened -the sea came.
Without warning.
Without welcome, even
Not sudden and swift, but a shifting across the sand like wine,
less like the flow of water than the flow of blood.
Slow, but coming.
Slow, but flowing like an open wound.
And I thought of flight and I thought of drowning and I thought of death.
And while I thought the sea crept higher, till it reached my door.
And I knew, then, there was neither flight, nor death, nor drowning.
That when the sea comes calling, you stop being neighbors,
Well acquainted, friendly-at-a-distance neighbors,
And you give your house for a coral castle,
And you learn to breathe underwater.
Key Scripture Passages
* Matthew 7:24–25
* Psalm 42:7
* 2 Corinthians 12:9
Reflection
The poem begins with a sense of security—building a house on rock, not sand. It’s a nod to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7, where the wise builder chooses a foundation that can withstand storms. But the poem doesn’t end in safety. It moves into mystery, into the unpredictable movement of the sea—symbolic of life’s uncontrollable forces, or perhaps the Spirit of God itself.
The sea, once a distant neighbor, becomes intimate. It crosses boundaries. It enters the home. And the speaker, faced with fear—flight, drowning, death—discovers something unexpected: not destruction, but transformation. The house becomes a coral castle. The speaker learns to breathe underwater.
This is the essence of grace. It doesn’t always come gently. Sometimes it floods our lives, dismantles our certainties, and asks us to live in a way we never imagined. But in the depths, we find new breath. We learn to live not by control, but by trust. Not by resisting the sea, but by letting it carry us.
Psalm 42 speaks of “deep calling to deep”—a divine invitation to go beneath the surface, into the soul’s hidden places. And Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians remind us that grace meets us in weakness, not strength. It teaches us to breathe where we thought we’d drown.
Application
* Embrace the Flood: When life overwhelms, don’t rush to escape. Ask what grace might be doing in the depths.
* Learn to Breathe Differently: Let go of old patterns of control. Trust that God equips you to live in new spiritual terrain.
* Let Your House Become a Coral Castle: Transformation may look like loss at first—but it often leads to beauty, resilience, and renewal.
* Be Present to Others in Their Floods: Offer companionship, not solutions. Sometimes the best gift is simply breathing beside someone underwater.
Prayer
God of the Deep, When the sea rises and my foundations tremble, teach me not to flee, but to trust. Help me to breathe in the depths of Your grace, to surrender what I thought was safe, and to discover the beauty of transformation. Let my life become a coral castle— a place shaped by Your Spirit, alive with Your mercy, and open to the mystery of Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Dear God of truth and tenderness, we come before You with reverence, bearing the weight of a world in flux and the profound longing for peace that only Your Spirit can fulfill.
We lift up the stewards of our economy, particularly the Federal Reserve, as uncertainty grows. May integrity guide every decision, and the independence of institutions be preserved for the sake of stability, equity, and the common good.
We pray for Lisa Cook and all who stand firm against unjust dismissal. May courage be met with justice, and truth rise above politics. Let every voice entrusted with public service be honored, not silenced.
We reflect on the courtroom in Maryland, where the Department of Justice sought to challenge the judiciary itself. May the balance of power be respected, and our democracy be strengthened by humility, accountability, and the rule of law.
We cry out with the people of Israel and Gaza, as protests call for an end to war and the release of hostages. O God, let swords be beaten into plowshares, and mourning turn to mercy. May leaders listen to the cries of the wounded before more lives are lost.
We hold close the officers within ICE, worn down by the weight of enforcement and the toll of policy. May compassion temper duty, and every migrant be seen not as a case but as a child of God, worthy of dignity and care.
We pause to celebrate joy, as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announce their engagement. In a world of headlines heavy with sorrow, we give thanks for love that blooms, for stories that remind us of hope, and for moments that lift the spirit.
In all these things—in every courtroom and concert hall, in every protest and policy, in every act of courage and every cry for help—we ask:
May peace prevail. May wisdom guide our leaders. May justice protect the vulnerable. May love be the rhythm by which we live. Amen
Whispers of Grace 