Praying for Peace

 

FEBRUARY 24, 2022

 ISAIAH 2:3-5

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.

 

PRAYING FOR PEACE

A few Sunday’s ago, we looked at the above Isaiah passage and it’s call to learn the “ways of the Lord”. The way of peace.

We acknowledged from the scriptures that God promises to do justice and to set things right among the nations, which implies eliminating the causes of war — causes like aggression, oppression, greed, imperialism, the drive to dominate. As a result, nations will feel secure enough to turn their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. In other words, the nations will turn costly weapons designed to kill into agricultural implements that increase food production and enhance human well-being.

I long for world like that, don’t you?

Today, we hear of war in our world, in the Ukraine. Frankly, I do not know all the issues about this conflict. I only know that as a follower of Jesus Christ, I am called to be a peacemaker, to pray for peace, to pray for a world in which “Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”

Let us join together as a community in praying for peace and that God’s Kingdom will come and God’s will be done on Earth.



PRAYER



In this time of crisis and war, let us commit ourselves to prayer and pray to the God of all creation to bring peace to our world, and peace to our hearts.



Lord of the nations, the horrors of war stand before us in graphic ways that disturb our daily lives. Fear grips us for our personal safety and the safety of those in harm’s way. Sorrow washes over us for the seeming necessity of war and the losses that come with it. Opinions divide us and leave us confused in the face of an uncertain future. You alone, O God of Creation, who in the beginning brought order into chaos, light into darkness – you alone can help us in these days of crisis and war.



Come to the aid of nations and leaders who need your guidance. Come to the aid of those standing in harm’s way.



Come to the aid of our military and their families. Come to the aid of all who need your assuring and loving presence.



Strengthen us in faith and calm the fears within us that are many. Help us to trust in you for our lives and our future.



Forgive us for our sins, especially for our failings as peacemakers. Forgive us for the divisions among us. Renew our spirits and increase our resolve to pray fervently for peace.



Protect us from any evil that surrounds us. Lift the hearts of the sorrowful. Bring healing to the sick and the wounded. Comfort the dying and the bereaved with your love.



Above all, give us assurance that as Lord of all, you are in control. Give us hope and give us peace on earth, lasting peace.



God of peace, God of love, fill our hearts and our minds with the peace and love that only you can give. We, your people, ardently cry to you, O Lord. You are our answer. You are our hope. Come to our aid. In Jesus’ name.

Amen

 

 

“War is what happens when language fails.”

– Margaret Atwood, Canadian author