One: My friends we live in a broken world, aching from the wounds in our lives, communities, country, and the whole inhabited earth. 

We meet the abundance of your creation with exploitation and deprivation;

We meet the peace that passes all understanding with war and violence;

We meet the love that knows no borders with exclusion and hate;

We meet your boundless grace with judgment and revenge.

All :

In the presence of your peace,

in the confidence of your love,

we confess our failings and wrongs,

turning from that which harms ourselves,

our neighbours, and you. 

One: Meet us in our brokenness, loving God

All: And journey with us on the path to healing and hope.

Jennifer Henry

Mothering

Creator, we give thanks for all those who mother in diverse and wonderful ways. We celebrate opportunities to gather and lament the distance that might be between us at this time. May we find words and ways to express our gratitude. 

We pray:

Encircle us in your transforming love.

For the mothers who build peace all around the world that the lives of their children might be transformed. For the mothers of Russians and Ukrainians, Israelis and Palestinians, all who daily  resist making enemy.  May the origins of this day be honored with deepened commitment to peace.

We pray:

Encircle us in your transforming love.

For those seeking to mother who are denied, for those who grieve their mothers, for mothers who grieve their children, and for those for whom the word “mother” is pain and not comfort. May your story be honoured.

We pray:

Encircle us in your transforming love.

For our Mother the earth, wounded by our neglect and excess. For her resilience and capacity to redeem, regenerate, and resurrect.  May we learn from what she teaches about how to truly live.

We pray:

Encircle us in your transforming love.

We lift all these prayers to you, Creator. With  Mothering love, receive our prayers.

Amen

Words and image: Jennifer Henry

May, 2022

A Prayer for Women made Weapons of War

Mothering God, you created us in dignity and diversity to reflect your image.

We pray for places in the world where conflict scars your face,

where the peace You left us seems beyond reach.

Help us to remember your daughters, whose bodies are landscapes for war.

Guard their dignity, protect their wellbeing, embolden their courage.

May we be present with you, as you uphold women peacemakers who transform communities in love and justice.

In hope and solidarity we pray.

Amen.

Words Jennifer Henry

Image Alex Radelich, Unsplash

For All Who Mother,

Creator, we give thanks for all those who mother in diverse and wonderful ways. May we find words and ways to express our gratitude.

For the mothers who build peace all around the world that the lives of their children might be transformed. May the origins of this day be honored with our deepened commitment to peace.

For the mothers of Black sons, of Indigenous daughters, of all racialized children. May racist violence and white supremacy end and safety, equity and justice for all children be made real.

For the spiritual mothers, chosen mothers, mothers of history and mothers of movements who have helped to bring about change in church and world.  May our lives and our choices build on their legacy. 

For those seeking to mother who are denied, for those who grieve their mothers, for mothers who grieve their children, and for those for whom the word “mother” is pain and not comfort. May your stories be honoured.

For our Mother the Earth, who is wounded by our neglect and excess. May we learn from what she is teaching us about how to truly live.

We lift all these prayers to you, Creator. With your Mothering love, receive our prayers. Amen

Words: Jennifer Henry

May 9, 2020