A Prayer in Time of War (Prayer A)

One: Eternal God, in whose will is our enduring peace, we find ourselves again in the wilderness of war. With hopes dashed on the rocks of failed diplomacy among nations filled with distrust and fear, we cry out to you for mercy.

All: With memories of a fragile peace now lost, we ask for courage to face the uncertainty of a world vulnerable to unimaginable death. God, in your mercy, save us.

One: Loving God, we confess our complicity in the misunderstanding and hostility that have brought us to this tragic hour. Forgive our callousness to the hurts of others and our contempt for the heritage that shapes their lives.

All: Hear the lament of our hearts for anything and everything worthy of peace that we have neglected on the road to war. God, in your mercy, forgive us.

One: Righteous God, in whose sacred justice both mercy and truth embrace, forbid that we fail to see in all persons, including those we now call our enemy, the grandeur of your image and likeness.

All: Across the chasm of our separation open our eyes to our common humanity pronounced good by your voice at the dawn of creation. God, in your mercy, reconcile your people.

One: Saving God, sustain us in the things necessary for a just peace in the aftermath of this conflagration. Deliver us and all others from the use of wanton weapons of wrath that promise only to poison the earth and fan the expanding fires of human hatred.

All: Deliver us from the temptation to imitate what we say we deplore and from cowardice to embody the costly freedom we seek to defend. God, in your mercy, save us from the enemy within our hearts.

One: Healing God, guardian of those in harm’s way, hold close our sons and daughters who serve our nation in this conflict fraught with contradiction. Return them soon and safely to us and the land of their hopes and dreams.

All: In obedience to your Son, Jesus Christ, we pray as well for those who are at enmity with us in this struggle and who are sons and daughters beloved in their own land. God, in your mercy, hasten the end of this war.

One: Eternal God, One in the communion of the Holy Trinity, by the power of your Holy Spirit transform your world into the global family you created us to be.

All: We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, whose promise we remember in faith: "Peace I leave with you: my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid." Amen.

A Prayer in a Time of War (Prayer B)

One: God of compassion and grace, we come to you in this time of turmoil needing your presence and guidance.
We struggle with how to deal with the terrorism in our world;
Sometimes we do not know which way to turn;
Sometimes we do not know who or what to believe.
As we seek to live in the tension of uncertainty without losing our balance, we need your presence and guidance.

We know that you love all your people and that your will for all is peace.
Teach us how to work with you for peace;
Teach us how to love one another;
Teach us how to banish fear and hate.

Be with those who make decisions about sending our military members to war, and stay them from making rash decisions.
When we send our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guard into harm’s way, be with them, and keep them in your care;
Be with our chaplains who put their lives on the line to bring your presence and grace to the women and men who must go in harm’s way.
Be with the doctors, nurses, and medics who risk their own safety and lives to bring comfort and healing skills to the wounded.

God of compassion and grace, have compassion on us when we make mistakes.
As Jesus forgave those who put him to death, we pray for compassion on those who hate us and would destroy us;
As Jesus taught us, we pray*

Our Father…

(In the worship bulletin, all are invited to pray the Prayer of Our Savior in the words they know.)

* (or substitute the following: One: Held in the arms of God who is our Mother, let us pray with the confidence of the children of God:)

Meditative prayer of intercession (Prayer C)

One: In this time of massive events, let us pray for the many who are forgotten, unnamed families and children in the path of destruction who have done no wrong but will suffer, and perhaps die.

All: We remember them, and ask for your mercy, O God.

One: Let us pray for all those who serve in our military, and those who are called to assist them: medical personnel and chaplains.

All: We remember them, and ask for your mercy, O God.

One: Let us pray for all diplomats, ambassadors, world leaders, and all who continue to seek peaceful resolution to conflict.

All: We remember them, and ask for your mercy, O God.

One: Let us pray for the agencies of compassion, who will try to feed the hungry, bind up the wounded, and find shelter for the displaced.

All: We remember them, and ask for your mercy, O God.

One: Let us pray for all people everywhere who live in fear, and for our own fear.

All: We remember them, and ask for your mercy, O God.

Litany for a Time of Turmoil (Prayer D)

One: God of compassion and grace, we come to you in this time of turmoil needing your presence and guidance;
All: Hear our prayer.
One: As we struggle with how to deal with the terrorism in our world,
All: Hear our prayer.
One: When we do not know which way to turn,
All: Hear our prayer.
One: When we do not know who or what to believe,
All: Hear our prayer.
One: As we seek to live in the tension of uncertainty without losing our balance;
All: Hear our prayer.
One: We know that you love all your people and that your will for all is peace. Teach us how to work with you for peace;
All: Hear our prayer.
One: Teach us how to love one another;
All: Hear our prayer.
One: Teach us how to banish fear and hate;
All: Hear our prayer.
One: Be with those who make decisions about sending our military members to war, and stay them from making rash decisions;
All: Hear our prayer.
One: When we send our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guard into harm’s way, be with them and keep them in your care;
All: Hear our prayer.
One: Be with our chaplains who put their lives on the line to bring your presence and grace to the women and men who must go in harm’s way.
All: Hear our prayer.
One: Be with the doctors, nurses, and medics who risk their own safety and lives to bring comfort and healing skills to the wounded.
All: Hear our prayer.
One: God of compassion and grace, have compassion on us when we make mistakes;
All: Hear our prayer.
One: As Jesus forgave those who put him to death, we pray for compassion on those who hate us and would destroy us;
All: Hear our prayer.
*One: As Jesus taught us, we pray
All: Our father… (In the worship bulletin, all are invited to pray the Prayer of Our Savior in the words they know.)

* (or substitute the following: One: Held in the arms of God who is our Mother, let us pray with the confidence of the children of God:)

Prayer in the Time of War (Prayer A) is by The Rev. Thomas E. Dipko, who served as Executive Vice President of the UCC United Church Board for Homeland Ministries until 2000;

A Prayer in Time of War (Prayer B) and Litany in a Time of Turmoil (Prayer D) are by The Rev. Eileen Norrington, ministerial authorization coordinator, Parish Life and Leadership Ministry Team, Local Church Ministries UCC and a 22-year veteran of the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps;

Meditative Prayer of Intercession (Prayer C) is by Arthur Clyde, minister for worship, music, and liturgical arts, worship and education ministry team, Local Church Ministries .

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