Light a candle and pray,

Father God, my heart breaks for those involved in these wars in Israel and Ukraine. So much devastation and loss of life. I know it breaks Your heart as well. You are a defender of the innocent and downtrodden. I’m safe in my little western world, so I can’t imagine the fear and grief the innocent civilians are feeling right now.

I ask, Lord, that You would bring an end to these conflicts. Turn the hearts of the aggressors away from their unrighteous intents. Encounter them as you did Saul on the road to Damascus. There’s been enough loss of life, enough loss of homes and livelihoods. Bring peace, Lord, through Your Spirit.

Turn the hearts of the leaders to You. To me, that feels like an impossible task, but I know that nothing is impossible for You. And I know that You desire that none should perish, but that all would come to repentance. You care more about people’s hearts than a country’s borders. But you care about justice more than “rights.”

Your justice will be served. I know that beyond a shadow of a doubt. So while we wait, bring peace. Not only to these countries torn apart by war, but to the hearts of every innocent person suffering from the decisions and actions of others. 

The world needs Jesus, Father. He is the Prince of Peace. And it’s in His name that I pray. Amen.

Stephanie Reeves

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…

O God of all hope and peace, we bring to you the needs of our broken and hurting world.
Our hearts are breaking with images of lives lost and torn apart by grief in Israel, Palestine, Ukraine and other countries at war.
We pray for an end to violence and warfare so that the challenging work of rebuilding may begin.
Help us, O Lord, to affirm our common humanity so that in our differences we may build together for justice and peace.
In Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

(Church of England)

Dear God, our Father, we give you thanks for all those women and men, especially those we recall today who gave their lives and paid the supreme sacrifice in the hope of bringing peace in the world. We recall their bravery and dedication. Their mateship and solidarity and their compassion and care for those in need. We pray too for their families and those that loved them and for the mates they served with who still bear the scars of war, that they may be consoled in their grief by our love and regard for them. Loving Jesus, Prince of Peace. We pray for peace. 

We pray that you would move in the hearts of those that create conflict and that people may resolve differences without resorting to violence. Break down barriers of vengeance, hatred and fear and build up those things that can make for justice, freedom and peace. Holy spirit of love for all humanity. We pray that we may dedicate ourselves afresh to the service of peace following the words of Saint Paul, may we go out into the world in peace, being brave and holding fast to what is good. May we strengthen the faint hearted, support the weak, help the afflicted, and to honour all peoples. We have remembered. We will not forget them. We will play our part in making our world a better place. And now we ask God’s blessing at this time.

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen

(Archdiocese of Brisbane)

This week our Prayer for Peace comes in the form of a video.  The link is below.

This prayer was written by a young girl, Harriet Paterson, and illustrations in the video are by children.

God of love,

We pray for peace in our world, and an end to war.

Instead of hatred, let there be love.

Shelter your children and protect us.

Guide us and keep us from harm,

so we can build a world of love and live our lives in peace.

Amen.

Catholic Agency for Overseas Development

this prayer comes from Christchurch Cathedral in New Zealand 

God of many names, lover of all peoples 

we pray for peace in our nations and in our world. 

We pray for all who have the awesome responsibility  

of power and decision-making. 

We pray for the innocent victims of violence and war. 

Lead us and all peoples of the world 

from death to life, from falsehood to truth. 

Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust. 

Lead us from hate to love, from war to peace. 

Let peace with justice fill our hearts, 

our world,

our universe.

AMEN

Loving God,
The burden of war is a heavy burden to carry;
we pray for those weighed down by warfare.
We pray for those caught up in the turmoil,
in the fear, in the danger, and in the stress.
We pray for parents and children sheltering.
We pray for people in the heat of combat.
We pray for the vulnerable and marginalized.
We pray for those without the medication essential to their health
and for those denied food.
We pray for all who, exposed to the horrors of war, suffer in mind and body.
The burden of war is a heavy burden to carry.
We pray for those weighed down by warfare;
we pray for those who must leave home and family
to escape the conflict.
We pray for those who travel to family or friends abroad.
We pray for those who find a welcoming place to stay for a while.
We pray for refugees, for those who will never be able to return to their home,
in all the loss, in all the pain, in all the heartache.
We pray for those separated from their loved ones, and for those
who do not know where their loved ones are.
The burden of war is a heavy burden to carry;
we pray for those weighed down by warfare.
We pray for those who search for peace.
We pray for national leaders in whose hands are life and death,
that the loss suffered by so many may be
measured against any powerful gains.
We pray for the peacemakers as they struggle to get parties
to the conflict to listen to one another and to talk to each other.
We acknowledge that by contacting power persons,
by demonstrating, and by prayer, we may hasten the way of peace.
The burden of war is a heavy burden to carry.
Loving God,
In your strength we face the reality of war with courage,
with your patience we help the war-torn compassionately,
through your peace we witness old conflicts ended
and new beginnings bud and bloom,
through your peace we envision an end to all wars. Amen

―David Sparks

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…

God of all creation, bring justice and peace to our world.
Teach us to be peacemakers.
Guide us in our pursuit of justice and the common good.
Inspire us to welcome all, forgive all, and love all.
Direct us as we walk in the shadow of Jesus: the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Inspire us to perceive the world through your eyes, that we might find hope and joy each day, supportive of each other, for the sake of your Kingdom.

– Author Unknown

It is with deep sadness that we pray for peace and for the people of Ukraine on the anniversary of the beginning of the third year of war.

God who sees the weakness 
in acts of naked aggression;
God who feels the fear
in moments of acute helplessness:
cure our warring madness,
and shield all who fall in harm’s way.
Leach the poison from any mind
that thinks strength is shown
in a bullying force.
May an equal strength in solidarity
give resolve to those 
whose aim is to protect, and respect,
not just the ones we call our own,
but all with whom we can share 
a better, more peaceful world.
Amen.

Corrymeela Community

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…

May God bless us with discomfort, 

at easy answers, half-truths 

and superficial relationships

so that we may live 

deep within our hearts

May God bless us with anger

at injustice, oppression

and exploitation of people

so that we may work for

justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless us with tears

to shed for those who suffer pain,

rejection, hunger and war.

so that we may reach out our hand

and turn their pain to joy.

May God bless us with just enough 

foolishness to believe we can 

make a difference in the world.

so, we can do what others

claim cannot be done.

– A Franciscan Blessing

Today, our Prayer for Peace is a poem by Daria Chebotariova who is 14

We need to hurry up

We were told the war should end 
But it keeps going from day to day.
And we forgot to smile and can’t pretend,
We are surrounded by despair 
And we keep waiting for someone to care.

The towns and villages are ruined at their core, 
As are our hearts and souls.
We forget that every door
Has its own unique lock. 

We still believe in a happy future, 
Where we will live in harmony and peace.
We’ll not forget those who have fallen, 
That’s why we need to hurry up.

Please read all of the poems from this UNICEF website https://www.voicesofyouth.org/poems-for-peace