October, 2006

Prayer for the International Day of Prayer for Peace

Rose Wu

In our violent world, Lord, we pray for peace. We pray that the people of Iraq and Afghanistan will soon live in peace. We pray too for a peaceful resolution of the disputes in Palestine, Israel, Lebanon and Iran. In Asia, we pray for the political conflicts in Nepal, Burma, Kashmir, East Timor, Taiwan and Thailand to be decided without further violence. We also pray for an end to the extrajudicial killings and disappearances in the Philippines. We especially remember today the families and friends of those who suddenly and violently lost their loved ones in this senseless violence in the Philippines. May your peace replace the insanity of today's violence in the name of state security or religion.

In our unjust world, Lord, we pray for justice. We pray that justice will be done for those who have been illegally detained, who have been tortured, who have been denied their rights. We pray that there will be justice for those forced out of their homes and off their land in the name of development. We pray that justice will prevail in the workplace for workers who have been exploited.

In our divided world, Lord, we pray for tolerance, understanding and love. We pray that religion is no longer used to justify violence. We pray that we can learn to bridge our different identities with our common humanity, that we can learn to include others who are different rather than exclude them.

In the name of the Divine, we lift up this prayer to you. Amen.