[ELCA] Worship Resources related to The Decade for a Culture of Nonviolence

Use the following Bible passages, hymn suggestions, and prayers and litanies for the planning of corporate worship and personal or small group devotions.

Surrounded with green grass and flowers still in bloom, about 85 staff of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in Chicago gathered for a time of prayer Sept. 21 at noon in the church's front courtyard. Organized by the ELCA Task Force for a Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence, staff prayed for lasting peace in the world as part of the United Nations' "International Day of Prayer for Peace."

"Enable us to be aware of the stark realities that we experience in our world, to ask hard questions, to accept difficult responsibilities as we consider what it means for each one of us to be peacemakers in this world," the Rev. Charles S. Miller, ELCA executive for administration, said during the invocation.

Through prayer, staff remembered people affected by war, terrorism, genocide and other forms of human violence and people affected by the violence of nature, disease, domestic violence and other forms of personal assault. The service ended with a prayer of thanksgiving written by Christian, Jewish and Muslim clergy and the sharing of peace.

"The International Day of Prayer for Peace offers an opportunity for church communities in all places to pray and act together to nurture lasting peace in the hearts of people, their families, communities and societies," said Donna Braband, ELCA director for schools and co-chair of the task force.

For information about the work of the ELCA Task Force for a Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence, use the navigation to visit other areas on this site.

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L: When people around us don’t agree and think differently;
C: Lord, teach us to listen and understand.

L: When we see people who are hungry and poor;
C: Lord, teach us to give to them like you give to us.

L: When we see people treated poorly because of their skin color or language;
C: Lord, teach us to be an example of love.

L: When we see war and conflict around the world;
C: Lord, teach us how to make a difference and bring peace.

L: When we feel low and things don’t seem to be going well;
C: Lord, teach us to talk to our friends, our family and to you.

L: When we stop and see all you have given us;
C: Lord, teach us to be thankful.

L: In our lives, our neighborhoods and the world;
C: Lord, teach us to pray and teach us the way to peace.

God of Peace, over the ages you have called us to live as peacemakers. You have called us to be a shalom people. You have called us to be Children of God.

We confess that we have not always lived out this calling. We do not want to face the difficulties of being called your disciples. We take the easy way out. We avoid controversy. We don’t speak out when we know we should. For these things we ask your forgiveness.

We confess that we are too tolerant of war and violence. We depend on our own power and position to settle differences instead of asking for your wisdom.

Forgive us, Gracious God. We ask that your Spirit guide us to act with loving grace and peace. Be with us in our continuing efforts to be peacemakers. Amen.

O God, forgive our failures to love others as you have commanded us. We don’t always love our enemies.

Help us to put aside our hatred and cruelty toward one another. Help us to see that the road of revenge is not the path you seek for us.

Gather us together, not as enemies, but as your people, working for a life of peace. Amen.

Gracious Lord, send your love to all hearts throughout the world. May your light of peace reign.

Lord God, let your peace enfold the people of the world.
Prince of Peace, show us the way of peace. Open our eyes to see and our hearts to follow.

God of Peace, help our leaders to find peaceful and loving ways to come together. We ask that you help all of us be true brothers and sisters in Christ.

Give us grateful hearts, O God. Help us to open our hearts to your wisdom and let peace flow.