Prayers for peace
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Women from around the country stand before God, the United States government, and the world reading prayers for peace. The reading of these prayers is a witness to the faith and determination of United Methodist Women to work for peace in Iraq and the world.
Fifteen to 20,000 prayers have come in from around the country and the world.
They are prayers of military mothers and prayers for all mother’s children in the military.
They are prayers from rural areas and prayers from the inner city.
They are prayers of those who remember past wars and prayers of those have witnessed the affects of violence in their own homes and communities.
They are prayers of those who believe in the Prince of Peace, in miracles because of God’s love, and in the amazing power of the Greatest Commandment, "to love thy neighbor as thyself."
These prayers are as diverse as those women who sent them. Women wrote them in their own words, from the heart, and from their own understanding of what peace entails. And in reading these prayers aloud, these prayers are a witness of faith, of a belief in the Prince of Peace, and in the power of prayer
We thank you, O Master, Lover of Mankind, King of the ages and Bestower of good things, Who destroyed the dividing wall of enmity, and granted peace to the human race, and Who now has granted peace to Your servants. Instill in them the fear of You and confirm in them love one for the other. Extinguish every dispute and banish all temptation to disagreement. For You are our peace and to You we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
We also pray, O Lord our God, for all those who suffer from acts of war, especially for the victims and all those involved in the struggle in Serbia-Kosovo. We pray for your peace and your mercy in the midst of the great suffering that people are now inflicting on each other. Vouchsafe to accept the prayers of your Church, so that by your goodness peace may return to all peoples, hear us and have mercy on us.
We also pray, O Lord our God, to remember and have mercy on our brothers and sisters in Ethiopia and Eritrea who are involved in civil conflict. Remove from their midst all hostility, confusion and hatred. Lead everyone along the path of reconciliation and peace, we pray you, hear us and have mercy on us.
Let all believers turn aside from violence and do what makes for peace. By the strength of your powerful arm save your people and your Holy Church from all evil oppression; hear the supplications of all who call to you in sorrow and affliction, day and night, O merciful God, let their lives not be lost, we pray you, hear us and have mercy on us.
But grant, O Lord, peace, love and speedy reconciliation to your people whom you have redeemed with your precious blood. Make your presence known to those who have turned away from you and do not seek you, so that none of them may be lost, but all may be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, so that everyone, in true harmony and love, O long-suffering Lord, may praise your all holy Name.
– prayers being used at the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas of Myra in Amsterdam
O Lord, how many are our foes who battle against us and say: there is no help for them from God or man. O Lord, stretch forth Thy hands that we may remain Thy people in both faith and works. If we must suffer, let it by in the ways of Thy justice and Thy truth — let it not be because of our injustice or hatred against anyone. Let us all fervently say: Lord have mercy.
Again let us pray to God, the Savior of all men, also for our enemies — that our people Lord who loves mankind will turn them away from attacks on our Orthodox people, that they not destroy our churches and cemeteries, that they not kill our children or persecute our people, but that they too may turn to the way of repentance, justice and salvation. Let us all fervently say: Lord have mercy.
And may I just add...Even so Come Lord Jesus!
Women from around the country stand before God, the United States government, and the world reading prayers for peace. The reading of these prayers is a witness to the faith and determination of United Methodist Women to work for peace in Iraq and the world.
Fifteen to 20,000 prayers have come in from around the country and the world.
They are prayers of military mothers and prayers for all mother’s children in the military.
They are prayers from rural areas and prayers from the inner city.
They are prayers of those who remember past wars and prayers of those have witnessed the affects of violence in their own homes and communities.
They are prayers of those who believe in the Prince of Peace, in miracles because of God’s love, and in the amazing power of the Greatest Commandment, "to love thy neighbor as thyself."
These prayers are as diverse as those women who sent them. Women wrote them in their own words, from the heart, and from their own understanding of what peace entails. And in reading these prayers aloud, these prayers are a witness of faith, of a belief in the Prince of Peace, and in the power of prayer
We thank you, O Master, Lover of Mankind, King of the ages and Bestower of good things, Who destroyed the dividing wall of enmity, and granted peace to the human race, and Who now has granted peace to Your servants. Instill in them the fear of You and confirm in them love one for the other. Extinguish every dispute and banish all temptation to disagreement. For You are our peace and to You we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
We also pray, O Lord our God, for all those who suffer from acts of war, especially for the victims and all those involved in the struggle in Serbia-Kosovo. We pray for your peace and your mercy in the midst of the great suffering that people are now inflicting on each other. Vouchsafe to accept the prayers of your Church, so that by your goodness peace may return to all peoples, hear us and have mercy on us.
We also pray, O Lord our God, to remember and have mercy on our brothers and sisters in Ethiopia and Eritrea who are involved in civil conflict. Remove from their midst all hostility, confusion and hatred. Lead everyone along the path of reconciliation and peace, we pray you, hear us and have mercy on us.
Let all believers turn aside from violence and do what makes for peace. By the strength of your powerful arm save your people and your Holy Church from all evil oppression; hear the supplications of all who call to you in sorrow and affliction, day and night, O merciful God, let their lives not be lost, we pray you, hear us and have mercy on us.
But grant, O Lord, peace, love and speedy reconciliation to your people whom you have redeemed with your precious blood. Make your presence known to those who have turned away from you and do not seek you, so that none of them may be lost, but all may be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, so that everyone, in true harmony and love, O long-suffering Lord, may praise your all holy Name.
– prayers being used at the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas of Myra in Amsterdam
O Lord, how many are our foes who battle against us and say: there is no help for them from God or man. O Lord, stretch forth Thy hands that we may remain Thy people in both faith and works. If we must suffer, let it by in the ways of Thy justice and Thy truth — let it not be because of our injustice or hatred against anyone. Let us all fervently say: Lord have mercy.
Again let us pray to God, the Savior of all men, also for our enemies — that our people Lord who loves mankind will turn them away from attacks on our Orthodox people, that they not destroy our churches and cemeteries, that they not kill our children or persecute our people, but that they too may turn to the way of repentance, justice and salvation. Let us all fervently say: Lord have mercy.
And may I just add...Even so Come Lord Jesus!
posted by Himself at 7:04 AM
1 Comments:
Beautiful post! Thank you.
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