06/12/2026
World News This Week in Prayer
Pastor's Note: The following prayer includes a reference to Pride Month. While Christians may hold differing convictions on matters of sexuality and gender, we can unite in praying for the safety, dignity, and worth of every person, and for God's love and peace to prevail wherever people experience fear, rejection, or violence.
Eternal God,
We praise you for all the beauty that the month of June brings to us as people of faith. As the Creative Creator who displays majesty through the tapestry of human experience, we celebrate all those who are on the spectrum of gender and sexual expressions.
This month, as many around the world celebrate Pride, we remember that there are currently 65 countries in the world where it is still illegal or oppressive to be gay or trans. There are many other places where, even though the general public supports gay or trans rights, churches and political groups have made these individuals targets, including of hate crimes. We pray that there would be an end to violence, oppression, bullying, and abuse of all marginalized people groups. We uplift those who feel their humanity is constantly questioned or under attack. May they know that in God’s fold, all rainbow sheep are welcomed and accepted.
Christ the Healer,
We recognize that the miracles of your power have been both used and abused. We know that you have the ability to bring people wholeness of mind, body, and spirit. Yet, we also know that people in the disability community have sometimes felt their body has become subject to scrutiny and unasked-for prayers.
As June is Deafblind Awareness Month, we ask your blessing upon those who work to make accessible spaces and those who provide opportunities for employment, housing, personal care, and socialization for those living with physical and developmental limitations. We recognize those who live with chronic pain and invisible disabilities that are so easy to ignore or shrug off, but which add challenges to the daily lives of those who suffer and threaten their independence and quality of life.
June is Brain Injury Awareness Month, ALS Awareness Month, and Seniors’ Month. We recognize that elder abuse is still rampant in many areas of the world and seniors are often prime targets for scams and financial abuse [June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day]. We entrust you with seniors who are beginning to decline in their memory, cognition, and physical abilities, so that they feel supported and encouraged rather than isolated and lonely. Bless all who minister to and work with seniors, including in health care settings, social settings, and religious settings.
Intergenerational Awareness Day was marked on June 1st. We acknowledge places where different generations gather together to learn from each other and share stories. We commend to your care all who work with the next generation – with children, youth, and young adults. We yearn for all to respect the experiences of the past while remaining open to God to move in new ways in the future.
This month, Canada celebrates National Indigenous History Month, with National Indigenous Peoples’ Day marked on June 21st. Like other places in the world which have been colonized, we remember the destruction that has occurred to Indigenous languages, cultures, and customs. Even as Canada continues to work towards right relationships and upholding the treaties made between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous citizens, we know there is still much work to do. We honour Elders and Knowledge-Keepers around the world who continue to live into these customs, teaching the next generation to take pride in who they are.
Saturday, June 20th is World Refugee Day. There are an estimated 42 to 43 million refugees worldwide, as well as Internationally Displaced Persons and Asylum Seekers. We remember areas caught up in conflict around the world, and those who hold fast to the reasons for their fighting. In many countries, leaving is the only option because of war, civil unrest, or persecution. Grant strength to agencies working with refugees both in safe places and in areas of conflict. Bless refugees with safe travels, stability, and extravagant welcome. Working to end all forms of discrimination, prejudice, and racism, we support refugees and immigrants who are unfairly blamed for political issues and who have been targets of hate crime or live in fear of exposing their religion or culture.
Canadian Multiculturalism Day takes place on June 27th. We give thanks for the unique voices and perspectives that those with non-Eurocentric perspectives provide. Thank you for those who were trailblazers and had to overcome adversity to make Canada their home. We lament historic abuses of power, including against the Chinese, Japanese, Black, Jewish, Ukrainian, Eastern Europeans, and French communities who at one time all faced excessive hardship as they settled in this new land. We also lament for Indigenous populations, who found their rights and freedoms limited and even abolished to make room for White Supremacy and colonization.
June is an opportunity to go outside and enjoy nature and the wonder and delight of God’s great earth. Many say they feel closest to God when enjoying God’s craftsmanship, carefully curated and well thought out, in which ecosystems and wildlife (including humans) are interdependent.
As we mark Recreation and Parks Month, World Environment Day (June 5th), and World Oceans Day (June 8th), we commend to your care the waters, lands, and animals entrusted to us for stewardship. Bless all farmers, ranchers, conservationists, birdwatchers, pet owners, and nature lovers. Thank you for gifting us with this earth where we can roam and play, laugh and sing, walk and run. May it remain here for generations to come so that they may sit in the shade of trees which we planted for them.
Amen.
