[The Lord] who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry.
[From Worship Resource, Year B; Beginning Advent 2014 up to Advent 2015, Herald House, 2014, p. 105]
O God, we bow our heads and humble ourselves before you, our Creator and Sustainer. We come to you with joy, assured of our welcome; we come to you with hope, trusting in your vision of the peaceable kingdom; and we come to you with love, filled with gratitude for the many blessings we have received by your grace.
O God, we fold our hands in prayer and lift our voices to cry out for peace in the world. We weep for the earth, scorched by war and greed; we weep for your children, ravaged by hunger and oppression; and we know you weep with us. Let our tears join with yours to water the barren earth, so the peace of Jesus Christ may grow.
O God, we cup our outstretched hands to bring our concerns and lay them before you. For our nation and all nations, for our community and all communities, for our family and all families, we pray. For healing amid brokenness, for clarity amid confusion, for your presence amid our struggles, we pray. For all persons in need of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wholeness, we pray.
O God, we stand before you to receive your blessings, and to be sent forth in your name. Your power has revived our souls, the peace of Christ has refreshed our hearts, and the breath of your Spirit has fanned the flames of our compassion. We respond with renewed commitment to pursue peace and justice for all people, and to bring your message of healing and hope to the world. We will go in peace to serve you, Lord. Amen.
Prayer Phrase
“Happy are those who observe justice” (Psalm 106:3).
Healing and Reconciliation
Gather a small mound of stones. Meditate on the stones as symbols of differences and destructive acts that continue to separate and wound the human family. Name and anoint each “stone wound” with a drop of water or scented oil. Offer them to God in a prayer for healing and reconciliation.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.