A liturgy for peace.
God of nations,
at thy feet,
we come before you with heavy hearts.
The news of new war fills our homes and our screens.
The vulgar language of domination is loud.
The suffering of ordinary people is quiet.
In our fear and uncertainty,
we turn to you.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
God of peace,
at your feet,
we pray for the people whose lives are shaken by war.
For families hiding from missiles.
For children buried in rubble.
For those mourning the dead and searching for the missing.
Hold them in your mercy.
Lord, bring peace to the earth.
God of justice,
at your feet,
we pray for those who hold power over nations.
When pride hardens hearts, bring humility.
When fear fuels violence, bring compassion.
When revenge seems easy, nurture the fragile seed of peace.
Would you plant it deeply, oh Lord, that it would take root.
May the Living Vine wrap tightly around our leader's souls,
and bear the sweet fruit of reconciliation.
Guide the leaders of the world, O God.
God who knows the human heart,
we confess our own fear.
The world feels fragile.
The future feels uncertain.
We wonder what tomorrow will bring.
In our anxiety, remind us:
that you are the Prince of Peace,
that violence will not have the final word,
and that your kingdom is not built by bombs or armies.
Calm our anxious hearts and strengthen our hope in You.
Jesus Christ,
you taught us:
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.
Make us peacemakers in our words,
in our prayers,
and in the way we live with one another.
Where hatred grows, let us plant compassion.
Where fear spreads, let us speak hope.
Where the world chooses power,
teach us the power of love.
Make us instruments of your peace.
God of peace,
whose Son stretched out his arms on the cross
to draw the whole world to himself:
Bring an end to war.
Protect the vulnerable.
Comfort the grieving.
And lead the nations into the ways of justice and peace.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.