We give thanks for all that is good, all that is beautiful and sacred, and for all who seek peace in this world.

We give thanks for our families, our church and our community and feel gratitude for this amazing country where we live, and for the beauty of the world.

We seek to care for our planet and help to restore its health by using less non-renewable resources.

Help us to buy thoughtfully and to reduce our individual footprint and use of plastics and other harmful products.

We pray for our world, our fast-changing world governed by imperfect leaders who struggle to negotiate for peace and advocate for communities torn by division, fear, privation and war.

God of all life, this world is hurting, people are at war and suffering and those in powerful positions of influence disregard their pain and increase their suffering.

God of justice and peace we pray amid the deprivation and trauma of violence and fear which prevails in Gaza and Ukraine and other places where conflict destroys lives and causes intense suffering.

We pray for freedom for those whose lives are destroyed in Gaza and intercede on behalf of those whose pain is more intense than we an imagine.

May there be a peace negotiated between the Palestinians and Israel that will finally overcome and begin to heal their history.

May the current negotiations that includes the return of hostages and prisoners not fail but that families can be reunited and those who have not survived be respectfully returned.

We pray for peace justice and equality for all people and that humanity may ultimately learn to live without hatred and that there will be an end to war, terror, abuse and greed.

We pray for victims of domestic violence, for women and children who live in fear, Indigenous people and refugees who suffer PTSD because of all they have gone through. May they find hope and purpose and freedom from fear.

Holy comforter, meet the people of this world where we are hurting and help us to care and act as ambassadors of the kingdom of peace.

Guide this world into your kingdom when all people will be treated with dignity, and where diversity is celebrated and respected.

For this Congregation we pray, may each find their own place of peace and happiness as we deal with the disappointments and challenges of life and progress toward being truly human by contributing to the good of others.

May those who are sick recover, the aged be comfortable and those who carry burdens of sadness be comforted.

May the fire of Christian love be a light in our heart, let love shine from our eyes and comfort be felt in our touch. Let gentleness be heard in our voices and the work of our hands bring healing to others. In the name of Jesus, Amen