Today in our prayers for the people of Chad.

Prayer for Peace

Wallace B. Smith

God of Earth and sea and sky, God of us all, we come to you at this moment with heads bowed in acknowledgment of your presence in our midst. As we raise our voices to you in prayer and song may the unspoken meditations of our hearts also lift in the warmth of your spirit until they have penetrated the very vault of heaven and returned to us blessed by your love and grace.

Even in this quiet moment in this peaceful place, we are reminded anew of the many places in your world where strife and enmity, sorrow, and pain are being experienced by your sons and daughters. Lord, we have such a desire to be the instruments through which release and relief can come to those who are suffering the effects of persecution and oppression. But we sense just how flawed even our best intentions are and how blemished with pride are even our most humble efforts to be your servants. Touch our impulses with your grace, O Lord, that they may be cleansed and rendered acceptable for your purposes.

May all those in distress feel the peace of your comforting presence this very hour as our petitions ascend to you. For we offer our prayer in the blessed name of your son, Jesus the Christ. Amen.