PRAYER FOR PEACE

BISHOP SUSAN WOLFE HASSINGER
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, NEW ENGLAND CONFERENCE

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For the Nation
 

Teach us, God of every nation,
to see every question of national policy in the light of our faith,
that we may check in ourselves and in others
every passion that makes for war, all ungenerous judgment,
all promptings of self-assurance, all presumptuous claims.

Grant us insight to recognize the needs and aspirations of other actions,
and remove our suspicions and misunderstandings,
that we may honor all people as children of God.

 Amen.

(England, 20th cent., alt.)
 

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For Peace
 

Remember, God of Peace,
the peoples of the world divided into many nations and tongues.
Deliver us from every evil that obstructs your saving purpose,
and fulfill your promises of old to establish your kingdom of peace.

From the curse of war and all that creates it,
O God, deliver us.

From Believing and speaking lies against other nations.
O God, deliver us.

From narrow loyalties and selfish isolation,
O God, deliver us.
 

From fear and distrust of other nations,
from all false pride, vainglory, and self-deceit,
O God, deliver us.
 

From the lust of the mighty for riches,
that drives peaceful people to slaughter,
O God, deliver us.
 

From putting our trust in the weapons of war,
and from want of faith in the power of justice and good will,
O God, deliver us.
 

From every thought, word, and deed which rends the human family
and separates us from the perfect realization of your love.
O God, deliver us.

Amen.

(England, 20th cent., alt.)
 

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A Vision of Hope
 

We pray that someday an arrow will be broken,
not in something or someone, but by each of humankind,
to indicate peace, not violence.

Someday, oneness with creation,
rather than domination over creation,
will be the goal to be respected.

Someday fearlessness to love and make a difference
will be experienced by all people.

Then the eagle* will carry our prayer for peace and love,
And the people of the red, white, yellow, brown, and black communities
can sit in the same circle together to communicate in love
and experience the presence of the Great Mystery in their midst.

Someday can be today for you and me.

 Amen

(Wanda Lawrence, Chippewa, 20th cent.)

* An eagle in the Native American tradition is often a carrier of prayer.

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For the World and Its Peoples

O god, you are the hope of all the ends of the earth,
the God of the spirits of all flesh.

Hear our humble intercession for all races and families on earth,
that you will turn all hearts to yourself.

Remove from our minds hatred prejudice, and contempt
For those who are not of our own race or color, class or creed,
That, departing from everything that estranges and divides,
we may by you be brought into unity of spirit, in the bond of peace.

Amen.

(Church of Scotland, 20th cent., alt.)

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