Today in our prayers for the people of Suriname.

Prayer for Peace

Marjorie Nilsen

Gracious God,

We come today to this place at this hour in need of your sustaining love and gift of understanding. Our hearts are wrenched with sorrow and remorse for our brothers and sisters throughout the world who live in constant fear and distress of the spirit.

Our arms and hearts especially yearn to hold and comfort the children. They are such innocent victims of human inhumanity. We struggle to understand the fearsome power of greed and hate. We cannot and do not want to accept its inevitability as long as there are people and systems that reject your ways.

We feel so helpless and yet somewhat guilty. We know that the remedy for these situations is the gospel of Jesus Christ. We know and have witnessed the power of the message that changes lives. We know personally the power of relationships in the spirit of Christ that brings true peace and hope to hearts and souls.

We confess our failure, our inadequacy, to bring the message in meaningful and affirmative ways. We get sidetracked with issues of our own comfort and welfare.

Our prayer is twofold. Help us, Lord, help us to get beyond ourselves and to respond to your invitation to join you in your desires to bring all people to you, to knowledge of the gospel of Christ. Help us also to have the wisdom and strength of purpose to become involved in our communities and our world to affect policy and program in our social, political, and economical affairs that will reflect your constant love and care for your creation everywhere.

Lord, please see beyond our mere words to the real desires of our hearts and add the power of your spirit to their intent. We would be open to the guidance of your spirit. We would be instruments of peace and redemption in this wonderful world you have given us.

In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.