God of our lives,
How we long for our world and our hearts to grow:
To grow in faith, understanding, and questions.
To grow in our hope for a better world.
To grow further and wider instead of apart.
To grow our lives together.
To grow in love for each other.
May growth be our hope while you are our ultimate guide.
God, we ask that you may grow into the lives of all of those around the world who need it.
May your peace grow where there is no peace.
May your love grow in the places where it feels far away.
In our hearts.
In our homes.
In our communities.
In our countries.
In our world.
Mingle our hearts together so that the branches of our lives may intertwine and create the most beautiful mingling of leaves and flowers.
God, we ask that an outpouring of growth may come from you for everyone in this world who needs your hope.
For all people around the world who especially need your hope this week:
- The families and communities impacted by the floods in Brazil, where the death toll rose to 83, with dozens remaining missing.
- The people of the South African city of George, where six people have died with 48 so far unaccounted for after a multi-story building collapsed.
- The communities in Ruang Island, Indonesia, where almost 10,000 residents will have to be permanently relocated after volcanic eruptions.
- The families and communities left behind after at least 188 people were killed at Kenya’s Maasai Mara nature reserve, after catastrophic flooding.
- The communities in Israel and Palestine as violence continues to take hold, many more of your children are killed, and the end of war seems far away.
God, we long for growth in our world and our lives as we hold onto the things that are good.
For the relationships which keep us going.
For the hope that there are people and communities working for good.
Grow in us new faith in you, as we hold onto each other and to your abiding love.
In your name, we pray.
Amen.