Sunday, November 11, 2018
Offered by Shawn M. Fiedler, Ministerial Associate for Worship

Almighty God, in whose hand are all the nations of the earth and from whom all thoughts of love and peace proceed, we give you our most humble and hearty thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all people. We thank you for air in our lungs, the thoughts of minds, the songs of our hearts, but above all, for your love in the healing of the world by your Son Jesus Christ, for the means of grace and hope of glory (adapted from “A General Thanksgiving,” Church of Scotland 1929). We come before you bringing the prayers of our world.

We pause today to remember, O God, all those who have died or been scarred by the horrors of war so sealed in our memories. Indeed, they shall not grow old as we that are left grow old, but we remember them. We remember their lives, the conflicts of the past, and the sacrifices that were made, and we pray for a world where war is still a grim reality.

O God, as we remember those who have lost their lives in the storm of war, help us to renew our fight against cruelty and injustice, against prejudice, tyranny, and oppression. Still we cry out to you in the shadows of our divided world. Let not our hope perish; let not new clouds rain death upon the earth. Hear our prayer, O God, for the multitudes in every nation who do not want war and are ready to walk the path of peace, who ache for their children to know not the stench of war. May their voices be heard, and may we not lose heart (adapted from Church of England’s Remembrance Day prayers).

We pray for the leaders of this and every nation, asking you to pour out your spirit in waterfalls of tenderness and reconciliation. Give them a longing to bring freedom from fear and freedom from want for all peoples. Give strength and courage to those who bear heavy responsibilities and burdens for the peace of the world; kindle within them your cause for justice.

Finally, gracious God, we pray for peace in ourselves. For racing minds and tattered hearts, for our fragile bodies and precious relationships, for the fear that controls our lives, the unknown that awaits our world, and for the prayers of our inmost being known only unto you. Hear us, O God.

Most of all, grant us the wisdom and the courage to live trusting in your ways alone, as disciples of the Prince of Peace, even Jesus Christ our Lord, who taught us to pray saying, Our Father . . .

Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church