Praying in 2026
Mennonite Church Alberta's Three Priorities will be the focus for 2026, which may take the form of a prayer or a Menno Minute, or a something else! (Have an idea - please reach out!) But let's not lose sight of communal prayer, either.
Prayers will be added to this page throughout the year as it seems natural. If you, your church, family, small group, Sunday School Class or any other group has an idea for a prayer, please email Linda
June
3-June-26
A Benediction
Beloved, as you go from here, go with the knowledge that God loves you just as you are and
longs to be your companion in life.
Go knowing that God calls each of us to grace and love
and mercy. Go knowing that you are surrounded by a community that is seeking to follow
God, and that you are in good company.
Go, and be a light in the world.
Written by Debbie Bledsoe, Pastor at First Mennonite Church Edmonton
May
27-May-26
May 31 is Trinity Sunday
Call to Worship – Praise the Trinity
Praise God, our Creator and generous King.
Praise Jesus Christ, our Savior and loving Redeemer.
Praise the Holy Spirit, our Comforter and trustworthy Guide.
We worship you, Holy Trinity, the three-in-one.
Join in praise, people of faith.
Praise God!
Karen Bachman Nafziger (USA), 2013.
Creative Commons: Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-4.0)
20-May-26
May the face of God’s radiance shine upon you.
May the light of Christ glimmer, sparkle, and gleam within you.
May his love dazzle, shimmer, and glisten
behind and before you, day and night.
May Christ’s love radiate in, around, and through you.
May his love sparkle, glitter, and glow as he comforts and restores you.
And may you be a blessing as your light beams and twinkles,
sharing his light with all the lives you touch.
Amen
Joy Wagler (Canada), 2023.
Creative Commons: Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-4.0)
Together in Worship www.togetherinworship.net
February
11-Feb-26
Dear Friends within MCA,
As we pastors gathered for prayer this morning, we were mindful of the tragic events in Tumbler Ridge. We read the story of Hagar from Genesis 21, as she is alone with her dying child. God hears her cries and sends a messenger to her, saying “Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.” God hears the cries of parents. God hears the cries of children where they are.
Knowing the shock and hurt felt by many of us in response to the events of Tuesday in BC, we offer this prayer. We recognize that our human tendency is to move quickly to blame or to solving problems. We want to do something. Yet, in times of tragedy, we are called to sit in the pain with the community of Tumbler Ridge. We join them in their sorrow, trusting in God’s comforting presence.
Please pray with us…
God, who hears our cries,
The people of Tumbler Ridge
are in grief and shock.
Hear their cries of rage, of disbelief, of anguish.
You promise that when we do not know how to pray,
your Holy Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.
Hear the sighs, the piercing cries, the tears.
In your mercy, Lord
Hear our prayer.
Just as you came to Hagar in her grief,
comfort and surround this community.
May they know that they are not alone.
In your mercy, Lord
Hear our prayer.
From the chaos of this tragedy
we seek your presence and wisdom, O God.
You alone have strength to carry this people.
Carry them now, O Lord.
Carry us now, O Lord.
You alone have wisdom and power to heal
the wounds of a community and a nation.
Heal us, O Lord.
You alone have compassion enough to enter our widespread grief,
and from it bring hope.
In your mercy,
Lord, hear our prayer.
Amen.
In grief and hope,
Bill Christieson, Aiden Scherzinger, Rachel Siemens, Tany Warkentin
