Gracious and Loving God,

As witnesses to the drought in East Africa, continue to provide your people with hearts of service, compassion and solidarity.

Console our sisters and brothers living with uncertainty and the scarcity of food.

Guide our leaders that they might work together to offer solutions to the needs of the people in East Africa.

May your grace remind us that you are the source of justice; your mastery over all things makes you lenient to all.

Continue to gather us in your name so, as your children, we embrace our sisters
and brothers as we respond to your call.

You call us your people. You taught us to be just and you gave us good ground for hope.

Lord, help us to respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters in the coming weeks.

Mold us in your will so that our brothers and sisters will see you reflected in our response.

We ask this through your son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

For the Church, that we may work together with our leaders to respond to the devastation of the drought affecting East Africa, we pray to the Lord.

Response: Gracious God, hear our prayer.

For world leaders, including political leaders and international organizations, that their response to the drought in East Africa will reflect your will and demonstrate cooperation, we pray to the Lord.

Response: Gracious God, hear our prayer.

For people in East Africa who are losing hope, who feel abandoned as a result of conflicts, drought, death and the visible threat of famine, may God's people remind them of God's love and providence, we pray to the Lord.

Response: Gracious God, hear our prayer.

For those of us gathered here, continue to teach us about your way so that we might understand and build the kingdom of God, we pray to the Lord.