A Prayer for World Peace

We pray for the power to be gentle; the strength to be forgiving; the patience to be understanding; and the endurance to accept the consequences of holding on to what we believe to be right. May we put our trust in the power of good to overcome evil and the power of love to overcome hatred. We pray for the vision to see and the faith to believe in a world emancipated from violence, a new world where fear shall no longer lead persons to commit injustice, nor selfishness make them bring suffering to others. Help us to devote our whole life and thought and energy to the task of making peace, praying always for the inspiration and the power to fulfill the destiny for which we and all humans were created. - Author Unknown God, when I am overwhelmed by what is going on around me, Please remind me that You are with me. Give me the strength to not fear evil, but instead, Allow me to remember that You overcome it. Show me Your comfort and protection, And keep me rooted and grounded in Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Dear Lord, there is so much going on in the world… So much that is upsetting and beyond my control. Please help me to cast my cares on you. Help me to turn my worry time into prayer time. Please help all who are dealing with tragedies, illness, Adversity and losses. Please put your angels about those who are in harm’s way. Please pour out your blessings on all who are in need And help us all to find your peace that passes Understanding. Thank you for being with me each moment of this day. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Prayer for Families of Victims We lift our most heartfelt prayers, O God, for those who on this night are still waiting for word of their loved ones, and for those who have already heard the worst. We pray for those who are healing from injuries to body or mind. We pray for those still unaccounted for. We pray for those who have never been in battle but who have witnessed war’s ravages; even the survivors, Lord, have become victims. And although it is but by your grace that we come here to pray, we, too, mourn our own innocence lost, O Lord. You do not delight in wickedness, O God; so enfold us with your compassion, uphold us with your love, and keep us, and all who suffer, in your sight. Grace us, O God; heal and embrace us, and lead us from this darkness into your everlasting light. Amen. O God of peace, calm us, who wait and watch, as events beyond our power and understanding unfold. Deliver us from fear that paralyzes our ability to seek faithfully the ways you would have us be your presence to our friends, our neighbors, and our children. Help us to dwell in your presence one moment at a time and to know that you are ceaselessly at work in our lives and in the world, to bring your reign of peace; in Jesus' name. Amen. God of peace, Russia has invaded the Ukraine and war seems inevitable. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. God of wisdom, Rain down your Spirit onto the leaders of the world That they might find a way where there is no way. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. God of comfort, Wrap the grieving ones in your cloak of consolation. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. God of courage, Be present with all those who are in harm’s way. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Amen. By Rev. Beth Richardson Prayer for Ukraine, by Kayla Craig O God of peace, our hearts are heavy And our brains can barely keep up with the breaking news. We don’t know what to say or what to do in a world so wounded. So we come to you with hearts heavy for All who sit in the crossfires of violence and acts of war. O God of peace, be with the people of Ukraine. With the mothers who carry babies to subway shelters. With the fathers who hold their heads in their hands. With the children who absorb the traumas. Of violent acts of powerful men. O God of peace, we don’t know the words to pray For a warring world and all who are vulnerable in it. We don’t pretend to know the extent of the damages Or what tomorrow (or today) will bring. But we know that you are a God of peace And we can’t bomb our way to shalom. O God of peace, comfort the crying and heal the hurt. Tend the aching and soothe the fearful. Make us instruments of your peace Creating a sacred symphony where Rhythms of grace are danced upon And evil has lost its sting, now and forevermore. O God of peace, hear our prayer.