Prayer in Time of War

God of all Creation, you have created human beings in your own image.  The potential within us is awesome.  As a sign of all that we can be, you came to us in human form.  We called Jesus the Prince of Peace.  We confess that we have not lived fully into all that you desire for us.  Once again, we find ourselves at war. 

Forgive us and teach us to be all that you intend, even co-creators of peace.

God of Mercy, we pray for the Iraqi children and ordinary folks who are powerless in their situation.  We pray for hearts of compassion. 

Teach us to be merciful.

God of Hope, we pray for our country and its leaders.  We pray for the safety of soldiers, who are sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, spouses, partners and friends.  We pray for deliverance from fear of terrorist attack.  We pray for humility that may lead us to acknowledge that we are not in control of the world.  We pray that despair will not overtake us. 

Teach us to be hopeful.

God of Comfort, send your Holy Spirit throughout the world to console the grieving in every land.  Blow your spirit into our hearts and grant us courage in the struggle for justice and peace.

Teach us to be transformers of pain.  Teach us to be healers. Teach us to be comforters.

God of Justice, we pray for right action that will create space for reconciliation and peace. We confess that we have become dependent on abundance, as if it were created only for us.  We have become accustomed to a style of living that comes at a cost to others in the world.  Make us mindful of our actions. 

Teach us to be justice seekers.

God of Faith, we want to believe in the goodness of creation.  We want to have open hearts and minds.  We want to know that you are concerned with the welfare of this world and that you are working to bring peace through us and in spite of us. 

Teach us to be faithful.

God of love, transform our fear into trust.  Teach us to love you with our whole being. Teach us to be neighbors to each other.

We pray all this, trusting in your great love and power to do more than we can even imagine.  Amen.

                                   (offered by Rev. Cheryl L. Burke)

From the Ministry of Caring for the World: 

Friends,
 
A resolution to End the Economic Sanctions Against the People of Iraq, was passed at the Illinois Conference Annual Meeting in June, 2002. In our ongoing efforts to offer some efficient ways to engage the challenging issues that are before us, here is a summary of the concern, the requested actions, and some internet resources.
 
Today, vast areas of Iraq have no potable water. Contaminated water is the number one killer of children under five. The entire Iraqi health care infrastructure, once modern and effective, has been decimated by a lack of basic pharmaceuticals, ambulances, X-ray machines, and other vital supplies. Education, once excellent, now suffers under the weight of the embargo, with desks, books, and other items in short supply. Malnutrition has skyrocketed, and children are dying of the most curable of diseases. Isolated and dispirited, an entire generation is growing up under complete - and preventable - deprivation. According to UNICEF, the sanctions have resulted in the deaths of more than HALF A MILLION children under the age of five."
 
Action called for by the Resolution
 
Communicate with political leaders that the economic sanctions on Iraq should be lifted and those providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Iraq in possible violation of US law not be persecuted.
 
Consider wholeheartedly joining with such groups as the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and/or the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Iraq.
 
As events all around the world have continued to show ongoing and increasing tensions among the peoples of the global community, especially following horrific terrorist attacks retaliations, and possible attack on Iraq, our attention to education and understanding are extremely important to help inform our response and action on the proposals of this resolution. Good resources for in-depth study and analysis and suggestions for action can be found at these web sites on Iraq:
 
?  American Friends Service Committee - www.afsc.orci/iraghome.htm <http://www.afsc.orci/iraghome.htm>
?  Voices in the Wilderness - www.nonviolence.org/vitw <http://www.nonviolence.org/vitw>
?  Education for Peace in Iraq Center - www.saveaaeneration.or-q <http://www.saveaaeneration.or-q>
            ?  Iraq Action Coalition - www.leb.net/IAC <http://www.leb.net/IAC>
          ?  Z Magazine - www.zmaci.ora/CrisesCurEvts/irag/iragCrisis.htm         <http://www.zmaci.ora/CrisesCurEvts/irag/iragCrisis.htm>
?  Common Dreams - www.commondreamsorci <http://www.commondreamsorci>
 
 
May we all live into justice,
 
Ministry of Caring for the World

Adapted from Resolution Study Material

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Urgent  Alert: INTERFAITH WEEKEND OF PRAYER FOR PEACE IN IRAQ

The United Church of Christ has spoken out through its
national leaders on the issues of peace in Iraq and has
provided educational resources and advocacy opportunities.  
This alert provides an invitation to join in the Interfaith Weekend
of Prayer for Peace in Iraq, December 6-8.

The goal for prayer on this special weekend is to create an
opportunity for everyone who longs for peace with justice in Iraq
to join together in prayer, even if we disagree about what peace
with justice in Iraq might look like or how best to get there.  This
is an opportunity for healing within congregations and for a
demonstration of interfaith unity in the longing for peace.

The invitation is for prayers in homes or places of worship rather
than public prayer vigils.  

There is nothing to join, no principles to endorse, and no request
for financial contributions.  Particiaption is by participating.  
Please consider creating a prayer service during December 6-8,
either a prayer service in your own tradition or an interfaith activity.  

The UCC website address for this effort is  www.ucc.org/justice/peaceprayers/

The Interfaith Prayer For Peace website is www.peaceprayer.org  
This website has prayer resources for planning prayer services and
provides an opportunity to post an invitation to the prayer service.  
The listing of your activity is also a witness to the importance of coming
together in prayer in this difficult moment.   Questions may be addressed
to Sherri Alms at  contact@peaceprayer.org.

Please share this information as widely as possible.