By Kass Unger of North Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia
For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.
♫ “We all need more kindness in this world.” ♫
When the group from California came to join CommunityPlus camp last year, one of the things they brought with them was a song. While very simple, it really resonates with me. “We all need more kindness in this world.” It is the sort of song where the group offers up words to replace “kindness” in the sentence when asked “What do we need more of in this world?”
This song became part of each morning gathering at kids’ camp.
There were few moments of intentional prayer throughout the couple of days together, but three songs were chosen together to be our expression of prayer: “Thank You, Lord, for This Fine Day,” “We All Need More Kindness in This World,” and “I Am” (I am. That I am. Child of God, I am, I am. Full of light, full of love, full of peace am I). Singing these songs together each morning became our moment of prayer.
As we sat on the floor on the last day of camp, kids shared their camp highlights of capture the flag and science experiments that related to the day’s scripture. Of campfires, marshmallows, and lantern making. Of many different games, warm fuzzy writing, and night owls. Of stories, singing, jailor and escape rooms. Of great food, washing-up duty fun, cabins and making new friends. And then the question went out: “What do we need more of in this world?”
I could actually feel my heart cracking open, as these high-pitched, children’s voices enthusiastically sang, “We all need more kindness in this world.” “We all need more friendship in this world.” “We all need more camps in this world.” “We all need more trees in this world.”
“We all need more peace in this world. We all need more peace in this world. You can look high and low, but there ain’t no place to go. We all need more peace in this world.”
Prayer Phrase
“Bear one another’s burdens…” (Galatians 6:2).
Spiritual Hunger
Jesus discerned hungers of body and spirit, and he fed them through a physical, verbal, spiritual ministry of presence. In a time of listening prayer, ask God to help you discern physical or spiritual hungers of people in your congregation, community, and global family. Invite the Spirit to move you to one hospitable act that “feeds” someone’s hunger today.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.