January 2026

O Father who holds our days in your hands, Hold our troubled hearts and wandering minds.

O Christ who looks with compassion on every wound, Heal us by your grace.

O Spirit who brings life to what is dead and dying within us, Enliven us and transform our world.

We come to you as people whose hearts are distorted as we grasp for power and gain. We confess that we have all fallen short of the law of love. We stand with all humanity in our need for mercy and in our need for you. 

Lord, have mercy.

We pray for Israelis and Palestinians who are suffering and dying as war continues despite calls for peace. We pray as Ukraine remains under siege, we pray as Iranians are attacked by their own leaders. Lord, bring beauty from ashes. Protect life and bring peace. 

Lord, hear our prayer. 

In our own country, we lament as we hear stories of inhumanity by some federal agents against immigrants and others. We also lament the times when protestors have responded in violence. We ask that you bring compassion to our hearts and heal our broken nation.

Lord, hear our prayer. 

We pray for those affected by job loss and economic instability. Be our source of hope as we look to you to provide for our needs.

Lord, hear our prayer. 

Here at home, we pray for those in our midst who are suffering ongoing pain and illness. Be our comforter and healer.

Lord, hear our prayer. 

We grieve with the Aleshires in mourning the loss of Ben—husband, father, pastor, and friend. We pray that you bring comfort to all those who mourn this loss and the loss of others we know and love.

Lord, hear our prayer. 

As we celebrate the good things you’ve brought us this year and celebrate a new beginning, we ask you to guide us and fill us with your love. May our lives bring glory to you. 

Lord, hear our prayer. 

In all things we offer ourselves to you and ask that you make us more attentive to who you are, to what you’re doing within us, and to how you’re working around us.

Amen.