God of all peoples and nations, we pray today for peace amongst your human children.
We confess that our sin and our pride blind us to your way of peace in our world. We would rather rely on our own strength, our own initiative, and our own ideas than to work cooperatively or to seek others’ thoughts, ideas, and guidance. We like to possess and control more, and we grow jealous of those who have what we do not have. For these and for many other reasons, we provoke and prod one another until a violent response breaks out. Forgive our foolish pride and selfish insistence on “having it our way.” Send instead your Spirit to enlighten our minds, open our hearts, and to guide us into the ways of peaceful cooperation with each other.
We pray for those whose lives are affected daily by violence: for those who live in war-torn areas, for those who live with domestic abuse and violence, and for those who live in violent neighborhoods. We pray that we will be generous to and supportive of organizations that work to reduce violence, to address people’s needs, and to rescue or assist those whose lives are so affected.
We pray for diplomats, emissaries, and peace envoys around the world. Imbue them with the wisdom that they need to speak peace, to encourage peace between nations and peoples, and to reach out to leaders of the nations to assist them to work toward peace, at home, and with their neighbors.
Finally, O God, we pray for the day when all human divisions and barriers will be eliminated, when all conflict and strife will cease, and when all people will follow the Way of your Son, the Prince of Peace, through whom we pray. Amen
Note: I no longer remember where I got the origins of this prayer, but I know that I adapted it. If it’s yours: apologies if it looks like I stole it; feel free to reach me at [email protected] and let me know the source.