How do we pray for peace from half a world away?

How can words salve and sooth real wounds,

Assuage real tears, Wipe tears from real eyes?

God of endless compassion, transform our prayers

From words into bridges, that span the distances

Between us, uniting our hearts in yours.

Every time we turn our keys in a lock,

May we remember all who are losing their homes.

Every time we step into our cars,

May we remember all who are having to flee.

Every time we embrace our children,

May we remember those who are trying to shield theirs from war.

May our besieged sisters and brothers

Be drawn into the arms of our suffering Christ,

And may our cry be heard as one voice,

Ringing out from every corner of the earth:

God of endless mercy, grant us peace.

Amen.

Cameron Bellm (Jesuits)

A Christian Prayer for Peace in Our Time

O God, author and giver of peace,
in whose image and likeness each of us has been created
with a human dignity worthy of respect on earth
and destined for eternal glory,
Listen to the cry that rises from every corner of this fragile earth,
from our human family torn by violent conflict:

Give peace in our time, O good and gracious God,
that peace which, as your son Jesus Christ told us
and as we have experienced in these days,
is a peace which the world cannot give.

To world leaders grant the wisdom
to see beyond the boundaries of race, religion, and nation
to that common humanity that makes us all your children
and brothers and sisters to one another.

To those who have taken up arms in anger or revenge
or even in the cause of justice
grant the grace of conversion to the path of peaceful dialogue
and constructive collaboration.

To the innocent who live in the shadow of war and terror,
especially the frightened children,
be a shelter and strength, their haven and hope.

And to those who have already lost their lives
as victims of human cruelty and chemical warfare,
open wide your arms and enfold them all
in the embrace of your compassion, healing, and everlasting life.

Grant this through Jesus Christ, your son, our Lord.
Peter J. Scagnelli

Today’s Prayer for Peace is in the form of a poem from Parvez Noori who is 16.

We want a life of dignity

“War has affected our existence, our life, our culture. The war took away my childhood. I wish the war would end and more children could enjoy childhood and family life.”

In my life there is not much happiness due to fear
Oh God, there is so much pain, very little to cheer
My home is set alight and burning like the autumn leaves
The poplar trees burnt, the red flowers burnt, it’s only grief.

Oh God, there is so much pain, very little to cheer
The outcome of war is tragic, sad and full of dreadful probabilities
Many have lost their lives, many wounded and many left with disabilities
Oh God, there is so much pain, very little to cheer.

This is a Prayer for Peace from 12 months ago, but one that is worth repeating.

Children are especially vulnerable in times of conflict and the situation is overwhelming for them when they hear and see what is happening around them. Pray that despite everything, they can experience that the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard their hearts and their minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7) And may they also be reminded of Jesus’ words in John 14:27 where he says: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Pray for Peaceful Hearts

Dear God, so many people and so many kids must be so scared right now.

Please comfort their hearts.

Take away their fear.

Give them peace in their hearts.

And let them know that You watch over them day and night.

When they sleep and when they are awake, You are always with them.

Amen (WEA Children’s Network)

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

We pray for the leaders of the nations,
that you will guide them in the ways of freedom, justice and truth.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

We pray for those who bear arms on behalf of the nation,
that they may have discipline and discernment,
courage and compassion.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

We pray for our enemies, and those who wish us harm,
that you will turn the hearts of all to kindness and friendship.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

We pray for the wounded and the captive,
the grieving and the homeless,
that in all their trials they may know your love and support.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

Most holy God and Father,
hear our prayers for all who strive for peace
and all who fight for justice.
Help us, who today remember the cost of war,
to work for a better tomorrow;
and, as we commend to you lives lost in terror and conflict,
bring us all, in the end, to the peace of your presence;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen. (Church of England)

Light a candle, as a visible sign of the light of Christ, who is the light of the world. Take a deep breath. Feel the breath of God that has given you life.
Centre yourself and pray…

Let us pray for refugees and victims of war

Lord God,
No one is a stranger to you
And no one is ever far from your loving care.
In your kindness, watch over refugees and victims of war,
Those separated from their loved ones, 
Young people who are lost,
And those who have left home or who have run away from home.
Bring them back safely to the place where they long to be,
And help us always to show your kindness
to strangers and to all in need.

Author Unknown

O Lord, you love justice and you establish peace on earth.
We bring before you the disunity of today’s world;
the absurd violence, and the many wars,
which are breaking the courage of the peoples of the world;
human greed and injustice,
which breed hatred and strife.
Send your spirit and renew the face of the earth;
teach us to be compassionate towards the whole human family;
strengthen the will of all those
who fight for justice and for peace,

Light a candle, as a visible sign of the light of Christ, who is the light of the world. Take a deep breath. Feel the breath of God that has given you life.
Centre yourself and pray…

Today we pray for the Peacemakers.

Lord of the nations, and God of all peace, pour out Your Spirit in rich measure on those in high places and low, who continue to seek peace during this time of war. Protect them from hate and violence, open their ears, their mouths, and their hearts to pursue the goal of peace, and make the citizens they represent responsive to their care; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Peace 07/07/2024

This week, we encourage you to listen to this rendition of “Make me a Channel of your Peace” for your Prayer for Peace”.

This is a prayer that we prayed for Ukraine last year.  I have taken the liberty to change the words “in the country of Ukraine” to “in countries at war”.

Light a candle, as a visible sign of the light of Christ, who is the light of the world. Take a deep breath. Feel the breath of God that has given you life.
Centre yourself and pray…

War is terrible but you find us, Loving God.
You find us anxious as conflict rages in countries at war.
You find us angry at the senseless loss of life,
you find us distressed as civilians are caught up in a terrible war,
you find us grieving over the death of innocent bystanders.

War is terrible but you listen to us carefully, Loving God.
You listen as we ask the politicians, “Can’t you work for a peaceful solution?”
You listen as we say to the aggressors, “Don’t put children or hospitals at risk.”
You listen as we give thanks for countries that welcome those displaced
with big hearts and open arms;
you listen as we fear for journalists who put themselves in danger
to report the truth.

War is terrible but you give us hope, Loving God. 
Hope that leaders will patiently give peace a chance.
Hope that despite the heartache, the terror, and the loss,
places of sanctuary will be found and acts of kindness will take root and grow.
Hope that feelings of revenge for broken livelihoods and broken bodies
will be replaced by a willingness to restore community and to forgive.
We pray in the name of Jesus, crucified one. Amen 

―David Sparks