Reflecting on the close of 2025, a year marked by challenges, many have found solace and strength in the practice of prayer. As 2026 approaches, the importance of maintaining a strong spiritual foundation through prayer is emphasized by several staff members who share their personal prayers and hopes for the future.
The power of prayer lies in its ability to connect individuals with a higher presence, preparing them for courageous actions and providing empowerment when feeling weak. The staff team, recognizing the necessity of prayer, offers several heartfelt prayers aimed at guiding their journey into the upcoming year.
Mitchell Atencio, senior associate news editor, prays, “Lord, teach us to be still in your presence, filled with your love and compassion, and zealous with your joy for justice. May we find reservoirs of rest and double portions of holy discernment. Bind us together with cords that cannot be broken.”
Joseph Barry, donor services assistant, shares, “Lord, shatter the chains of fear which tighten around your people, especially those who work to protect your holy image, found through all things. Help us discern how your will can pierce our grief and paranoia during times of doubt. Let the weight of your spirit, and the fire of your light, gravitate all creation closer to the divine.”
Cortnie Brooks, digital education and outreach specialist, hopes, “Creative God, set before us the unadulterated vision of your kingdom on earth. Bring to the surface the prophetic imagination hidden deep within us. And ignite within us the joy and courage to live it out faithfully every day.”
Rick Chamiec-Case, director of donor engagement and human resources manager, reflects, “Faithful God, thank you for your profound love shared with us through the joys and sorrows of the past year. Help us grieve what was lost while holding fast to hope and to your peace as we begin a new year. Grant us strength and courage to meet the challenges ahead, protect the most vulnerable among us, and help us to love one another deeply and to serve you with gladness and singleness of heart.”
Associate editor Josina Guess prays, “God of beauty, help us to see you when all looks ugly. God of hope, help us believe that good things are being done in and through our lives. Guide our steps to walk faithfully in joy, peace, and love, even when our feet are heavy and the way seems unclear.”
Rev. Moya Harris, senior director of programs, expresses, “God, in your infinite mercy, spread your hope, peace, joy, and love during this season and beyond. We pray that hearts will be softened and minds changed through our shared humanity, which can only happen through your power. Protect and encourage those who live in fear, and those whose lives hang in the balance. Show up in the light and shadows of our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
READ MORE: 8 Stories That Gave Us Hope in 2025
Managing editor Tyler Huckabee calls for change, “God of new years and new beginnings, make us people who choose hope before cynicism and service before spectacle. Teach us to value proving our empathy over proving that we’re right. Make our hands be steadier than our fears and our love stubborn enough to outlast the news cycles.”
Marjorie Rose T. Lim, social media and communications assistant, prays, “Light of the World, come lift the darkness out of our eyes. As we ponder what to make of these tumultuous times, keep our hearts closely attuned to what moves yours. Let us seek you in silence, crave you in chaos, and find you in loss. May your everlasting love meet us in the margins.”
Judah R. Lopez, an intern, expresses, “God our companion, as we journey this year toward wholeness, set our feet on paths of justice. Expand our hearts to bear uncertainty and give our minds the capacity for complexity. May we witness you repairing what has ruptured, healing what divides us, and when our vision fails, may we trust you all the more.”
Cynthia Martens, senior director of circulation, asks, “God, during these dark days we seek your light and your mercy. Give us strength to be your hands and feet in this turbulent world. Comfort us as we face injustice and the despair of so many. Help us to remember each and every person is made in your divine image.”
Matt Murphy, chief operating officer, reflects, “God, invigorate us with a vision for your peace where wolf lives with lamb, leopard lies with goat, and infants play near the cobra’s den. As we experience conflict, overwhelm, and brokenness, remind us that your love grows from a stump, seemingly dead, seemingly barren. There is hope.”
Betsy Shirley, editor in chief, concludes, “God, revive our cold and weary hearts in a world that makes cynicism so appealing. Give us courage to look deeply at all that is broken; show us how to grieve instead of just doomscroll. Be with us in the midst of this mess, and enliven us to the surprising ways you are already at work making all things new.”
Whatever 2026 has in store, I’m confident that we will need to flex our prayer muscles.
This article was originally written by sojo.net
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