Today, we mark the International Day of Prayer for Peace, joining with other Churches of the Brethren and people of faith across the world.
The timing of this hallowed day is poignant. Within the span of a month, running from late August through mid-September, our nation mourned three anniversaries of events over the past decade that have profoundly shifted our understandings of ourselves and the human species.
- Eight years ago, we witnessed planes crash on September the 11th, from the horrific attack of fundamentalist terrorists, ushering in a new paradigm in the way we understand religion and warfare in America.
- Five years ago, we witnessed hurricane flood waters pour through cities and homes around the Gulf Coast, devastating historic New Orleans, ushering in a new paradigm in the way we understand race and the environment in America.
- One year ago, we witnessed the implosion of financial institutions, banks and insurance companies and housing markets, ushering in a new paradigm in the way we understand the economy in America.
All these collapses happened in this end-of-summer season. And all these have dramatically changed the human experience in our nation, changed the ways we experience conflict and violence and oppression and survival and healing – paradigm shifts we cannot turn back from. All these things reflect the new face of an ancient yearning: the world’s need for true, lasting peace: for shalom in our city, in every city, in the peaceful image of the city of God.
And so we collect our prayers for peace. We perceive the immensity of the world and its pain, and we do our small piece. We know that if and when every soul prays fervently for peace, and prays that peace into existence in their own lives, that on that day, war shall be no more. When each one lets go of striving to fix the entire world and instead simply says, “Let peace begin with me,” then peace on Earth will be made, one step and billions of prayers at a time. Let it be.
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Prayer
from the worship service Sunday, September 20,
at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, Elgin, Illinois
God of life, eternal,
we join the many others, Christians and other people of faith,
across this country and around the Earth,
in lifting our prayers to you for peace –
peace in our hearts and spirits,
peace in our homes,
peace in our neighborhoods,
peace among nations.
We pray especially today
for the shalom of our city here in Elgin.
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We pray for strength and clarity of purpose,
for all those surviving and escaping violence and abuse
in their homes and families,
that they know they do not deserve abuse
no matter who they are.
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“We seek your shalom, O God.”
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We pray for our youth to withstand the glorification of violence
by the military in their schools,
and that all our youth be empowered
to choose peaceful vocations for their futures.
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“We seek your shalom, O God.”
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We pray for the many among us hit hard by the financial recession,
struggling with sudden changes
and an uncertain world.
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“We seek your shalom, O God.”
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We pray for those who are hungry and homeless in our community,
that they may be nourished in body and in spirit.
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“We seek your shalom, O God.”
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We pray for the healing of our ailing health care system,
that the needs of real human bodies
might take precedence over the wrangling of parties and policies.
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“We seek your shalom, O God.”
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We pray for immigrants to this land,
that they might be welcomed just as warmly
as all our ancestors were when they arrived here,
and that together we might celebrate
the ever-changing face and the immutable character of our nation.
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“We seek your shalom, O God.”
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We pray for people of faith and people of doubts
across the city of Elgin and the Chicago area,
that we might partner with them in the ministries our community needs
and that we might be empowered to share our peace witness with them, as well.
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“We seek your shalom, O God.”
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We pray for climate justice for our world,
radiating out from Washington, D.C.
and our brethren and sisters lobbying there this weekend,
and also from this place,
through the commitment of people in this town
to leaving a whole, healthier planet Earth for coming generations.
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“We seek your shalom, O God.”
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We pray for our fellow citizens
displaced by natural disaster and human neglect,
that their plight might not be forgotten as quickly
as the evening news cycle moves on.
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“We seek your shalom, O God.”
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We pray for victims of racial intolerance,
sexual harassment, and religious persecution,
that our nation’s history and our individual ambitions
might never be used to block us from seeing the humanity
within each of our neighbors.
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“We seek your shalom, O God.”
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We pray for our sisters and brothers
across the world and across the street,
in every place where ‘hatred rages and wars defile the land,’
that we might listen to their stories
and weave them into our own,
to build a different future, together.
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“We seek your shalom, O God.”
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We pray for ourselves,
that we might find peace in our hearts and homes,
in our minds and bodies,
so that we might be prepared
to be instruments of your justice, mercy, and love.
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“We seek your shalom, O God.”
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God, we pray for deep, abiding love of peace.
We pray for wisdom to know the ways of peace.
We pray for strength and courage
to look into the depths of violence and pain
and take that reality into account in our lives.
We pray that you guide us in shaping
a true city of God,
that takes in the whole world,
and is founded in deep, deep shalom – salaam – paz – peace.
In the name of the Prince of Peace, our Christ,
Amen.
