International Day of Prayer for Peace
Violence is all around us. Images of violence, intolerance and extremism surround us and all too many people experience violence first hand. Many of our churches and communities have recently been shaken by the shootings in Aurora, CO, and the attack on the Sikh Gurdwara in Oak Creek, WI. Many of our families are strained by domestic violence or continue to bear the brunt of the decade long war in Afghanistan. Around the world, we see countries like Libya, Syria, Colombia, and elsewhere experiencing extreme violence and in need our support and prayers.
On September 21st, thousands of people of faith around the world will join in prayer for peace under the theme: “Pray for Ceasefire.” Will you be one of them?
Our prayers will be lifted up as part of the International Day of Prayer for Peace, an event organized by the World Council of Churches that parallels the International Peace Day hosted by the United Nations. We invite you to lift up a prayer on this day as part of our witness as a Just Peace Church.
Ceasefire- can we imagine it? In a world in which violence seems so pervasive, lifting up prayers for peace and a vision of “ceasefire” is an act of Christian hope. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul calls on community in Thessalonica to “pray without ceasing.”
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Prayers offered by UCC and Disciples of Christ members for the International Day of Prayer for Peace
Building a Culture of Peace
- Offered by Rev. Ken Sehested, Circle of Mercy Congregation in Asheville, NC.
Let us arise and reaffirm this abiding conviction:
That the God of Scripture manifests special concern for the cries of the poor, of the marginalized, the outcast, indeed all who have no access to the table of bounty.
We also believe that if the people of God are to be faithful to our calling, we will locate ourselves in compassionate proximity to those whose lives are battered, bruised and broken.
We do so not as an ethical demand or a work of righteousness but as a spiritual discipline.
For we believe that God’s presence and voice are most easily recognized and understood in situations where life has been abandoned.
Where hope is in retreat, where death is on the prowl and despair rules.
We testify to the Spirit’s plea to the church and to the world:
Disarm your hearts!
Repent of your habits of violence and injustice; return to the One who bore you in mercy.
Disarm your hearts!
Rebuild ruined neighborhoods; restore marginalized peoples; resume the politics of forgiveness and an economy of manna*.
Disarm your hearts!
Revive an ecological relationship with the created order, reject the escalating culture of violence, and renew your commitment to building a culture of peace.
We lift our hearts to you, O Christ. Make us instruments of your peace.
(*sufficiency)
Prayers of the People
- Submitted by: Rev. Alice Harper-Jones, The United Church of Christ, USA
Merciful, loving and all powerful God we come into your presence with hearts of thanksgiving and praise as we unite for world justice and peace.
We pray for peace among people of various cultural traditions that are different from our own.
LORD HEAR OUR PRAYERS
We pray for peace and justice within our communities, our individual nations and throughout the world.
LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYERS
We pray for the youth around the world. That they will come together to positively enrich their lives, their communities and their countries as was exhibited in the Jamaican Community Center project.
LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYERS
We pray for global economic and political solutions to situations that will bring peace and justice to all of God’s people, created in God’s image.
LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYERS
We offer these prayers in the name of Jesus and for His sake.
Amen.
Prayer of Confession
- Submitted by Craig M. Watts, Co-Moderator of the Disciples Peace Fellowship
Our God and Creator, who made us to be your family throughout the earth, we give you thanks for the expansiveness of your love. We rejoice that you have included us all in your compassionate embrace. We praise you that you have spread wide the unseen arms of your eternal, welcoming kindness.
Forgive us our failure to reflect your way in our own lives. Often we do not spread our arms wide. Often we keep our compassion in much too small a circle. Often our love has been constrained and restrictive.
Open the eyes of our hearts that we may see brothers and sisters where we previously had not seen any. Help us to breach walls build by ignorance, suspicion and hate so we will draw near to one another, as you have drawn near to us in Christ. Lead us that we might reject animosity and instead promote harmony.
Help us, O God, that what we say and do will further the grace you have extended to us as we reject the ways of harm and advance those things that add to the health and hope of all creation. Amen.
Your Shalom. Deep peace. Just Peace.
- Submitted by Michael Neuroth, Policy Advocate for International Issues, United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries
Our God who was, is, and is to be…
We pray for peace.
We pray for a peace that is beyond our understanding…beyond our limited vision, hopes, and dreams.
We pray for an end of the reign of violence in our communities and in our world.
We pray for an end to war. War that kill our people, desecrates our Earth, depletes our resources and our joy.
We pray for an end to poverty that keeps millions from living lives of dignity, lives without basic needs.
On this International Day of Prayers for Peace, let us join with all of God’s creation to pray for Shalom. Your Shalom. Deep peace. Just Peace.
For the peace that can only come from You.
O God, may your kingdom come, your peace reign, your justice roll, your Spirit move, your love inspire…
Amen
