#peaceprayers

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#peaceprayer for the Election

Oh gracious God, We tread always on the edge of a precipice with the threat of destruction near at hand. We create for ourselves blinders that we may not be afraid. Yet days and time and places come when our blinders are lifted, and we see the divisions and distrust; we hear the anger and contempt. The danger is all too visible, and we are afraid. So we make choices and decisions. Then, thinking the danger is past, we replace the blinders. Let it not be so. You gave us eyes to see, ears to listen, and a heart for love. You sent us prophets and preachers. You even lived among us. You say, “Open your eyes; open your ears; open your hearts. You tell us, “Love your neighbor.” You remind us that our neighbor is the one with us right now. Help us, oh God. Help us to see. Help us to listen. Help us to love. Help us to turn from seeing and hearing only we find to be wrong in the world, in others, and in ourselves. Help us in love to turn toward seeing and hearing what is right and good and wholesome in the world, in others, and in ourselves. The precipice is near yet we need not fear it for you live among us, as a guide and comforter. Our faith allows us to walk forward in hope. We pray for faith. We pray for hope. We pray for love’s sake. Amen

Rev John Brock has recently left Massachusetts where he worked with the region and with Chaplains on the Way, a chaplaincy on the streets of Waltham. He is settling in Montana to be wth family and will be engaging in ministry as ways open.

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#peaceprayer for Listening

In the land across the Jordan, in the remote lands away from the cities, a voice cried out for justice. It used words and an accent that the cities did not commonly hear. We hear. Can we listen for the truth contained in those unfamiliar words, accents, and ways of making meaning? In the land across the Hudson, across the Ohio and Allegheny, across the Mississippi, across the Missouri, across the Sacramento, the Columbia, and the Willamette; in the lands away from the cities and coasts, in the dry spaces, there are voices crying for justice. We hear. Can we listen? Oh God, in the name of peace, in the name of justice, and in the name of love, grant that we may listen. Amen

John is a member of DPF Executive Committee who is in the process of moving, after 48 years, from Massachusetts to Montana and is finding his that Yankee roots run deep.

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A Peace Prayer for Violent Times

My eyes flow with rivers of tears because of the destruction of my people.

My eyes will flow without ceasing, without respite, until the Lord from heaven looks down and sees. …

I called on your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit; you heard my plea, “Do not close your ear to my cry for help, but give me relief!”

You came near when I called on you; you said, “Do not fear!”

–Lamentations 3:48-49, 55-57

 O Lord, we are afraid.  Our eyes are sore from tears.  Our hearts are heavy with grief and confusion.  Our spirits dart from terror to anger to blame, or rest numbly in overwhelmed silence.

 It seems as though violence is overcoming the world.  In our communities, in cities we hold dear, and in places we care for distantly, struggling to make connection with your children we don’t know well.

How have we let it come to this?  How have we strayed so far from your path of compassion and righteousness?  How have so many hearts been distorted so dangerously by violence and oppression?

 We call on your name, from the depths of the pit.  Hear our plea.  Help us to hear your word of promise:  Do not fear!

Rebecca Littlejohn serves as pastor of Vista La Mesa Christian Church, just outside San Diego, and also as co-moderator of the Executive Committee for Disciples Peace Fellowship.

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A Peace Prayer from Week of Compassion

Loving Christ,

When you passed the widow of Nain who was weeping along the way to bury her only son, you had compassion. You reached out to the funeral bier and said “young man, rise,” and you returned him to his mother.

Who, now, can say to Anton Sterling, “rise?” Who can return Philando Castile to his mother? Who, today, can reunite Michael Krol with those who love him, restore Brent Thompson to his new wife, or return Patrick Zamarripa to his father who anxiously sat at Parkland Hospital? Who, on this day, can call up from their funeral biers the other Dallas police officers who were killed Thursday night?

Christ, you said to the widow, “do not weep.” Yet on this day, we are weeping by the side of the road, with the smell of death still thick in our nostrils, the weight of violence still heavy on our hearts. Our tears fall for black bodies bearing the violence of systems and histories of racial inequality. Our tears fall for uniformed bodies bearing the violence of a culture that trades in fear and hatred. Our tears fall for our own bodies, exhausted by the onslaught of terror and frozen by the complexity and enormity of it all. We stand by the road and weep and yearn for your compassion.

Living Christ, make your compassion rise in us and in this world. Call to our hearts and return us to each other—across the expanses of death and fear, division and demonization, reconcile us in your compassion, justice, and shalom. Amen.

Caroline Hamilton-Arnold is a Disciples minister serving with Week of Compassion.

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A Peace Prayer by Micah James

Holy God, we don't understand. Chaos surrounds us, harm has come to many all over this country, we ask for your peace. We know you are with those hurting, we know you are with those who are angry, we know you are with those who are confused and scared. We pray, "thy kingdom come", O God. Peace overwhelm, love abound, and grace abundant. Help us to know when and what to do to be agents of that peace, love and grace. Prayed in the name of Christ, Amen.

A life-long Disciple, Micah James is the Associate Minister at First Christian Church in Edmond, OK.  She is also the co-founder of adminisministry.com and the mother of two.

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A Peace Prayer by Cricket Harrison

How long, how long Will we beat Our ploughshares into swords? How long will we Endure shouting rather than Speak a healing word? How long will we Draft slogans while Blood flows through our streets? How long, O God, how long?

How long will we burn The greening fields while The poorest cry for bread? How long will we speak hatred While love remains unsaid? How long will we judge Human worth through the Color of one's skin? How long, O God, how long?

How long, O God, how long?

A native of Kansas, O.I. Cricket Harrison is an ordained Disciples minister who taught worship & church music at Lexington Theological Seminary. She served churches in Texas, Iowa, California and Idaho. A noted poet and song-writer, she was a major contributor to the Chalice Hymnal and Chalice Praise, and the co-editor of Chalice Worship.

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Peace Prayer by John Brock

Holy God,

Fear stalks the land. There is uncertainty. There is hunger. There is drought. There is war. There is disease. There is poverty. There is hatred.

And fear leads to anger. Fear leads to turning our backs toward strangers. Fear leads to turning our backs toward people who speak, or think, or act, or look different.

Fear turns ours heads toward power. People are expelled from the lands. Bombs explode. Guns are fired. Food and care are denied.

Oh God, our wise elders pass away leaving us to cope without their guiding calm. We miss them. Who will ever take their place?

“Is it I?”, we ask into the silence. “You ask too much. I am just me; afraid, weak, and small. What can I do?”

And a still small voice answers, “Be not afraid. Do justice. Love kindness. Walk humbly in the light.”

Oh God help us to listen. Help us to have courage. Help us to have faith. Help us to have hope. Help us to love.

In the way of justice, kindness, humility, faith, hope, and love, we pray.

Amen

John Brock is a member of the Disciples Peace Fellowship Executive Committee. He has recently moved to Montana.

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Help us in our grief

How long. Oh God. How long.

We want to understand. We feel that we ought to be able to understand. But we cannot.

We are dying. We are torn up inside by grief. We are torn up inside by hatred. We are torn up inside by bullets.

One remembers Jesus telling us, “Do not be afraid.” Another handles fear by assurances in self-defense. Another hides under a desk when the lights go out. Another tries to figure it all out.

We can’t know what will happen and yet we want to.

Our friends and loved ones are dying while they celebrate.

How long. Oh God. How Long.

Fear overtakes us. Anger overtakes us. Hatred overtakes us.

Help us in our suffering and grief. Help us to be with anyone who is closely affected. Help us to lean towards love for each other. Help us to lean towards awe at our existence in this wonderful creation.

Help us. We pray.

Amen

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#peaceprayers: Call and Response for the Beautiful Diversity of Creation, Belief, and Being

/// Call + Response /// One: Humans of God's creation, we are diverse. Many: We are beautiful. We are unique. We judge each other's differences, yet our diversity is an illustration of the infinite mystery of God. All: The God in me sees the God in you. One: Humans of God's creation, we are political. Many: We are conservative. We are liberal. We are passionate about our views, yet we are complacent in systems of injustice. All: The God in me hears the God in you. One: Humans of God's creation, we have bodies. Many: We are queer. We are gay. We are straight. We are transgender. We shame each other's bodies, yet we are all made in the image of God. All: The God in me loves the God in you. One: Humans of God's creation, we are theological. Many: We are human. We are divine. We often feel alone, yet we are bound by the energy of God. All: The God in me is the God in you.

Ben Saunders is a recent graduate of Vanderbilt Divinity School and is currently serving as the Director of Youth Ministry at Second Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN. Also, Ben is the co-founder of the Adelicia Company.

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A Prayer for Refugees in Danger

God of the sun and the moon,

God of the wind and the rain,

God of the sea and the sky,

 For many of us, the season is changing;

Summer is coming, and our hearts are light.

 We look forward to time to relax, sunshine to bask in,

longer days with more time for ourselves.

 And yet, we cannot escape the knowledge that for many,

summer means something else entirely.

 Already the death toll is rising.

So many lost at sea.

The hope of summer that brought expectations

of safe passage to a new and better life,

dashed and drowned as boats go down.

 Give us pause, O God, that we might

remember those who risk everything

for the sake of a better life.

 Move us to remember, and remembering, act,

advocate, give, welcome.

 Comfort those who mourn and protect those who travel.

Open the arms of those who will receive.

Change the hearts of those who would exploit.

Forgive us all when we do not adequately provide for the welfare of your peoples.

  In the name of Jesus, who had no place to lay his head, Amen.

Rebecca Littlejohn is the pastor of Vista La Mesa Christian Church in eastern San Diego County.  She also serves as co-moderator of the Disciples Peace Fellowship Executive Committee.

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#peaceprayers for Spingtime Renewal

As spring awakens all around us, O God our souls awaken for you.

As new life is breathed into nature,  we ask for your breath of peace in the turmoil around us.

As the aftermath of earthquakes send their after shock across the world, we pray for the many affected in the various countries overcoming the devastation.

We pray for the people of Syria and the many people trying to find a home away from war.

We pray for the many people across the world affected by the May Day protests.

As spring blossoms we are reassured and given hope that through you some day the world may know peace.

Amen

Sarahann Callaway is a member of the DPF board and currently lives in Chicago where she is a pelvic floor physical therapist.

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#peaceprayers for the Grantng of Peace in a Multitude of Settings

“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.” (John 14: 26-27) Holy God, with us in spirit, Grant us peace. In times of conflict, Grant us peace. In times of fear, Grant us peace. In times of hatred, Grant us peace When our minds are in turmoil, Grant us peace. When our hearts are troubled, Grant us peace. When our souls are in darkness, Grant us peace. As the sun sets, Grant us peace. As the moon shines bright, Grant us peace. As the rain clouds cover the sky, Grant us peace. In the cold or winter and heat of summer, Grant us peace. In all times, in all places, in all ways, Grant us awareness of Spirit in mind, body and soul. Grant us peace. In your name which is Love we pray. Amen

John lives in the Boston area serving the Northeastern Region and on the streets of Waltham with Chaplains on the Way. www.chaplainsontheway.org

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A Peaceprayer by Rebecca Littlejohn

God of Abundant Life,

Even as we mourn the deaths of those who are precious to us, whether family or the artists who inspired us, we know that the lives of all of your children are precious to you.  We know that the life of your creation is precious to you.

So we ask you to grow our hearts, that we remember and mourn so many others lost in recent days…

Those killed and kidnapped in last weekend’s raid in Ethiopia,

Those killed in earthquakes in Japan and Ecuador,

Those who drowned in the Mediterranean, seeking a better life,

Those killed in suicide bombings and air strikes in Israel, Iraq, Pakistan, Belgium, Yemen, Nigeria, and so many other places where violence seems to reign,

Those whose lives are threatened by global climate change, lack of water, and extreme weather.

Give us hearts for peace, O God.  Give us hearts that are large, whose limits dissolve in the light of your love and embrace the whole world.

Even as we mourn the loss of life, help us to be voices for hope, for shalom, for the dream that another world is possible.

We pray in the name of our friend and Lord, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Rebecca Littlejohn is the pastor of Vista La Mesa Christian Church in East San Diego County.  She serves as co-moderator of the Executive Committee of Disciples Peace Fellowship.

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#peaceprayers for hope

Loving God,

We prayer for peace in this war torn, politically torn, financially torn, hunger torn world we live in. As we delight in the reassurance of the resurrection let us not forget the atrocities going on in our neighborhoods, states, territories, countries, continents, and world. We remember the attacks that happened in Brussels as well as Pakistan and the other places forgotten by mainstream media this past week. These horrific things are becoming an every day occurrence. Help us to not lose hope and help us be advocates for peace in the hopes that one day this world will know how magnificent it can be. Amen

Sarahann is a member of the DPF board and currently lives in Chicago where she is a pelvic floor physical therapist.

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#peaceprayer Inspired by psalm 51

Have mercy on us, O God, according to your steadfast love. Against you, you alone, have we as a nation sinned, and done what is evil in your sight. We have neglected your command to welcome strangers. We have ignored your call to be peacemakers. We have countenanced leaders whose speech turns neighbor against neighbor. We have not trusted in your perfect love that casts out fear. Strengthen your church, O God, that we its members might speak truth to power. Teach wisdom to those who seek the joy of your salvation. Open our lips to declare your will and your praise in a country that has forgotten the importance of a contrite heart. O God, do not cast us away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from us! Put a new and right spirit within us, a spirit that rejoices in the well-being of your whole creation. Amen.

Dr. Michael Kinnamon, a Disciples theologian and DPF member, is former general secretary of the National Council of Churches.

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#peaceprayers for Peace in Each Person

Oh God, we are not at peace. Not in our hearts. Not in our houses. Not in our streets. Not in our country. Not in our world. Wherever we turn, conflict confronts us. Expressions of hatred swing at us. Darkness looms. Distrust rends our relationships, twisting and contorting even our best, most hopeful, and most loving words and deeds. Oh God, in this tortured time, let me be a channel of your peace. Help me rise in love and for love. Help me not to retreat from hatred and fear, not to respond fear with more fear, not to turn my back toward the backs turned toward me. Help me to understand and so to be understood. Help me to grow in trust and so to be trusted. We are not at peace. I am not at peace. Help us walk towards peace. Help me walk towards peace. Amen

John lives in the Boston area, serving the Northeastern Region and ministering through Chaplains on the Way, a street ministry in Waltham, MA.

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#peaceprayers for Open Eyes and Open Minds in the Midst of Conflict and Violence Around the World

Holy One, Creator of the Universe, Forgive us. We confess that our vision has grown narrow; our minds and hearts have been hypnotized by the horse race, the carnival side-show, the gruesome spectacle that our political campaigns have become. We have let the rest of your world and your peoples fall from our view. We have neglected those who have no say in our politics, despite being deeply affected by them. We repent. We pray this day for peace, in our hearts, in our nation, in our world. We cry out for justice in the face of violent, ethnic repression in Turkey and Burundi. We cry out for safety for victims of terrorism in Nigeria and Somalia. We fervently pray for peace in the Korean Peninsula, in the midst of heightened tensions and danger. We wail and lament with the people of Honduras, in the face of political assassination. We call down your power, O God, to sustain and expand the recent cease-fire in Syria. We lift our voices for peace with justice for Palestine and Israel, praying that each death might be mourned with dignity and deep reflection. We pray for all your peoples who are on the road – those living in camps, in ditches, in cars – desperately trying to find a new land where they can live in peace and harmony. Keep our eyes wide open, O Holy One. Keep our vision clear and our perspective gospel-broad. Help us to be faithful to your call to be peace-makers. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Rebecca Littlejohn is the pastor of Vista La Mesa Christian Church in La Mesa, CA, just outside San Diego. She also serves as co-moderator of the DPF Executive Committee.