Prayer for the World September 9, 2026
Introduction: As we begin our weekly “Prayer for the World” again today, these words from Sr. Nancy Sylvester, IHM describe both a wish and a suggestion for this moment:
I hope you had a restful summer as we are entering a frenzied time of mid-term elections. With so much news—real and fake—and all the political ads—some AI generated, it feels as if we all have to remember to slow down and to take some time to quiet ourselves and really listen to Divine Love within us.
Song: There is a Longing by Anne Quigley
There is a longing in our hearts, O Lord,
for you to reveal yourself to us.
There is a longing in our hearts for love
we only find in you, our God.
For justice, for freedom,
for mercy, hear our prayer.
In sorrow, in grief,
be near, hear our prayer, O God.
There is a longing in our hearts…
For wisdom, for courage
for comfort, hear our prayer.
In weakness, in fear,
be near, hear our prayer, O God.
There is a longing in our hearts…
Excerpts from Sr. Nancy Sylvester’s recent newsletter:
Recently, I went to liturgy at an abbey. It was a wondrous structure where, upon entering the body of the church, your eyes immediately lifted to the heavens. The priest was dwarfed by the upward movement of the architecture. I breathed deeply, caught in memories of being in the medieval cathedrals of Europe; amazing structures representing the work of human hands over generations, decades, even centuries, creating a psalm to glorify a God far above the earth, residing in another place named heaven, often pictured as sitting on a throne. Creating such a distance between God and us was intimidating, keeping one in one’s place, just like the societal structures of those centuries. …That day, however, was different (from today). I continued to gaze upwards beyond the ceiling and imagined being on a trajectory into space beyond the boundaries of our planet. …At those times, I feel the transcendence of God, of Divine Mystery. Not at all aloof or cold or impersonal, but rather intimate, encompassing and protective. …
As we humans continue to evolve, so too does our consciousness. We begin to choose love over hate, as Jesus witnessed to. Like the astronauts, we are not alone, and when we work together as a community, we can experience our strength and find hope in the next possible emergence.
Divine Love permeates our universe and our very being. Take time to sit in contemplation with this wondrous mystery. Experience the depths of the Universe shimmering with sacred energy and all of creation alive with Divine Love. Allow love’s presence in you to erupt so that you know it is as essential and as intimate as every breath you take. (Institute for Communal Contemplation)
Silent Reflection
Intercessions
Loving God, give us the peace for which we long, especially in Iran, Ukraine and South Sudan, we pray:
Loving God, give us the courage to speak our truth with compassion and the sincere desire to hear the truth of the other, we pray:
Loving God, give us the vision for which we long, to truly see all people as your children, as our brothers and sisters united in one human family, with the same needs and aspirations, we pray:
Silent Reflection
Song: There is a Longing