Events of this past week – notably, the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in a US airstrike on Baghdad – have left many people anxious about what the future holds, some fearing an increase in terrorism; others an escalating conflict in the region; others again, the spectre of a third world war. No doubt there will be brinkmanship on both sides, but in today’s political climate it is impossible to be sure quite what may happen next. Once again, we can only pray for peace, and hope it is enough. The following is adapted from one of my prayers in Prayers for All Seasons 2.
Lord Jesus Christ,
Prince of Peace,
hear our prayer for places in our world racked by tension –
countries and regions where there is anger, hatred and resentment,
where religious, cultural and ethnic differences divide and destroy,
where broken promises,
double dealing
and political manouevring have destroyed trust and impede dialogue,
making the threat of war all too real.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done.
Break down the barriers that keep people apart –
the prejudice, intolerance,
fear and self-centredness that continue to scar our world.
May your Spirit of love overcome all that causes people
to take up arms against one another.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done.
Come again to our world
and bring the unity that you alone can bring.
May the day come when swords will be beaten into ploughshares,
and spears turned into pruning hooks;
when nation shall not lift sword against nation,
neither learn war any more;
a day when no one will hurt or destroy
on all your holy mountain.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done.
Amen.