Our Shared Prayers September
September 24
A Prayer for Reconciliation
Creator God,
We believe that all land
and all people belong to you, as the Scriptures teach us:
the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. (Psalm 24:1)
We believe that you, God, formed us
to be in right relationship with one another
and all of creation. (Matthew 5:23-24)
We recognise broken relationships in our world and with our neighbours,
and we long for reconciliation and to live together in harmony.
In particular, we acknowledge that this land is the traditional territory of Indigenous peoples:
the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Piikani and Kainai First Nations);
the Tsuut’ina First Nation;
the Îyâxe (ee-yah-hee) Nakado peoples (Bearspaw, Chiniki and Good Stoney First Nations);
and the homeland of Otipemisiwak (oh-teh-pim-swak) Métis government, districts 4, 5 and 6 (Rocky View, Calgary Nose Hill and Calgary Elbow Métis Districts).
We confess that Canadian governments and institutions perpetrated the displacement of Indigenous people, culture and traditions, causing significant harm and trauma.
Lord, we pray for your forgiveness,
and the forgiveness of all those
who have suffered the harm of colonization and marginalization.
May our commitment to following you
and being people of mercy, justice and humility (Micah 6:8)
lead us to walk in a good way
with one another, all our neighbours and all creation.
In the name of the reconciling Jesus,
Amen.
(Please feel free to change the "in particular" section to reflect the land you are on.)
Prayer written and shared by Bill Christison, pastor Foothills Mennonite
September 17
A prayer inspired by the Holyrood Youth Credo (2025)
Creator of heaven and earth, Father of all things including humans; you are with us, in our midst right here on this earth. You understand our pain. You offer comfort and accept us because we matter to you!
Help us be followers of your son Jesus, who grieves at the messy world we live in, challenges us to change ourselves, loves us and delights us with loving presence, through which we feel safe.
Empower us through your Holy Spirit – that you may live inside all of us, guide us through times of hardship and show us the right way in the right time. Lead us toward good through forgiveness.
Be our guest in our churches as we join together as followers of Jesus. Help us all create a safe space to be in where we are committed to learning the same message together, where we are motivated to keep going; a home where we are welcomed at all times; a place of belonging; an environment that nurtures us into good fruit because we are surrounded by good, fresh fruit (not rotten fruit) -- a community to help us on our path with Christ.
May your Kingdom come, and continue to invite and inspire us to study the difference between right and wrong, and to trust that we will one day see its fullness – a time and place we might call paradise.
Amen
Prayer written and shared by Suzanne Gross, pastor Holyrood Mennonite
September 10
Gracious Creator, today we pray for Camp Valaqua, a sacred place where every soul is welcomed and uplifted in joy and friendship.
Holy Spirit, may Your light shine into deep forest and through the cold river, reminding us that creation itself is full of your presence and wonder.
Lord of Story, bless every staff member, volunteer, and camper whose lives have echoed through the tall, tall trees; those who’s laughter rings today, and those we hold in memory.
In our laughter and our silence, in silly songs around the campfire and in the quiet of dawn, may we encounter You, O God, our strength and our peace.
Bless the faithful bearers of the camp’s traditions: the dedicated volunteers, the tireless staff, and each loving hand that nurtures this place.
May the ringing of the bell call us to a shared life, and may we hear that sound as a call to gather in joyful community.
Sustain us in our mission so that all may proclaim that God, the Creator, gifts us this earth to tend with love and gratitude.
Grant those who gather here the courage to grow in faith, wonder, and stewardship. Grant us vision, compassion, and renewal.
Bind us together, campers, staff, volunteers, and all who enter, in a community shaped by grace, service, and the transforming love of Christ.
May every season at Camp Valaqua be rooted in faith, abounding in joy, and steeped in Your enduring presence. Amen.
Written and shared by Jon Olfert, Camp Valaqua director
September 3
O God, our Heavenly Parent and Sustainer,
We come to you through Jesus Christ our life giving Friend;
Grateful for the Sacred Spirit, who comforts us and lights our path;
We praise you for countless blessings that are ours each day:
For warm days and cool nights;
For summer rest and winter purpose;
For the beauty of each season;
And the relative predictability and the creative surprises it may offer.
Help us to be instruments in your hands:
To be listening for your voice;
To further your purposes;
To recognize your image in each person we meet;
To love our neighbours; to love and respect those who are different from us.
Our hearts are heavy when we think of the wars being fought in our world
Without concern for others and their needs,
Based on selfish ambitions we, too, must sometimes recognize in ourselves.
Help us to forgive those who hurt us, as we also long to be forgiven for our missteps, often unrecognized.
Please comfort and help those who suffer, whether through injustice, illness, misfortune. May we be ready to care and to respond.
Bless those, like Tom and Christine Poovong in Thailand, Werner and Joanne De Jong in Kenya, Gerald and Rie Neufeld in Japan, who have all left familiar comforts in order to make your name and your love known beyond our own small circles.
Everything we have and everything we do, depends on you. Make us quick to discern and prompt to do your will wherever we are.
In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, who left the beauty of heaven to live life among us and who walks with us through the Holy Spirit.
Amen
Written and shared by Doreen Neufeld, Trinity Mennonite Church