I have long wondered what it looks like for the church to embody worship through our commitment to care for our community. 

I pray for the oppressed, the weary, and the lonely, sometimes with a hollow ache in my chest that says, “what are my prayers and thoughts in comparison to the grief they must feel and all that i do not understand?”

In these moments, a gentle encouragement to pray anyway reverberates throughout my soul, and i feel invigorated to bring these petitions to the Lord. Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

On Sunday evening, I attended a prayer vigil for our immigrant brothers and sisters. It was pouring rain, yet a determined crowd gathered around a tree, joined by clergy, advocates, and fellow persons of faith to pray, share stories, and stand in solidarity together. 

The act of gathering itself in corporate prayer moved me, as I realized that this was a powerful visual of those in my community praying the same prayers. 

And along with it, this embodiment of the church collective, intentionally pursuing justice through the spiritual realm, encouraged me to speak bold prayers.