Today in our prayers for the people of Vanuatu.

Prayer for Peace

Larry McGuire

Loving God, we try to capture our thoughts through words to share with you and others. We offer words to express our feelings, hopes, and concerns. Words give us boundaries, and yet, you are the God who is present even beyond the edge of the boundaries. So, our words might try to contain you, but they also help us embrace you.

In the chaos of violence and war, we struggle to believe there is another way, a way of peace. As villages and cities crumble under the weight of poverty and violence, we struggle to see that they are also the places of your neighborhood where your presence is made real in neighbor helping neighbor. In your neighborhood, you invite us to change our hearts and expectations. You invite us to be neighbors and suspend fear of the unknown for curiosity of where you are present and moving. Change our hearts to expect peace. Change our hearts to proclaim peace. Change our hearts to be at peace.

God of the wilderness and of the boundary, God of words spoken and of the space of silence, you invite us to step with you into the wilderness and to listen for you in the space of silence. As we step and listen, I pray we hear your words: Beloved, I am with you; be at peace.

And so, the word peace guides our actions, thoughts, and walks in the wilderness and chaos. May peace also guide our silence, curiosity, presence in the neighborhood, and life. May the peace of your son embrace us in words, silence, and our lives. May the words of Jesus continue to rest on us; peace be with you. Amen.