Prayer for Victims of Violence
Loving God, you are the author and sustainer of our lives. You know the anguish of the sorrowful, you are attentive to the prayers of the brokenhearted. Hear your people who cry out to you in their need; strengthen their hope in your lasting goodness.
We pray today for those who have died because of violence, of terrorism. Draw them to yourself; let your face shine upon them. May they be greeted with choirs of angels and experience your eternal peace and joy.
Be near to all those who have been touched by violence: those who have been hurt, lost their loved ones or lost their sense of security. Be for them a steady comfort and safe resting place.
Soften the hearts and steady the minds of those who would do violence to others. May hate be replaced with love, violence with peace and darkness with your light.
Amen.
Prayer for Earth Day
Holy God, earth and air and water are your creation, and every living thing belongs to you: have mercy on us as climate change confronts us. Give us the will and the courage to simplify the way we live, to reduce the energy we use, to share the resources you provide, and to bear the cost of change. Forgive our past mistakes and send us your Spirit, with wisdom in present controversies and vision for the future to which you call us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
- The Anglican Church of Australia
Prayer for the Israel Palestine Conflict
God of light and salvation, our refuge and our strength,
We pray for the people of Israel and Palestine amid the escalating violence.
We pray for those killed and injured by rockets from Gaza in southern Israel.
May your rod and staff comfort them.
We pray for those who are grieving. May they know your ever-present help.
We pray for the protection of those who have been taken hostage by Hamas.
As they walk through this dark valley, may they fear no evil.
We pray for the civilians of Gaza.
May they know that their help comes from the Maker of heaven and earth.
And we pray for those in leadership in Gaza and Israel.
May you guide them along the right paths.
We ask all this in union with Christ and trusting in the power of your Holy Spirit.
Amen.
—from The Association of English Cathedrals (AEC)
A Prayer for Ukraine
Lord God,
We ask you to hold the people of Ukraine deep in your heart.
Protect them, we pray;
from violence,
from political gamesmanship,
from being used and abused.
Give, we pray,
the nations of the world the courage
and the wisdom
to stand up for justice
and the courage too,
to dare to care―generously.
Lord, in your mercy,
take from us all
the tendencies in us
that seek to lord it over others:
take from us those traits
that see us pursuing our own needs and wants
before those of others.
Teach us how to live in love
and dignity
and respect―following your example.
In your name and for your sake,
Amen
―Issued by Lord Wallace, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and the Very Rev. Dr. Susan Brown, convener of the Faith Impact Forum, Church of Scotland