Most loving God, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you who care for us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AMEN. BCP, p. 217
Source of Life and Author of Peace, Reconciling God, we pray to you in a time of deep need. You have intended for us a world of harmony and safety. But the grievous assaults of September 11 and its aftermath have led us to see your world as dark and fearful. We find ourselves now locked in [armed] conflict with the nation of Iraq, a poor people beset from within and without. Be with them and us in our need. Save them and us from the temptation to see one another as anything less than your children. Give their leaders and ours wisdom, compassion and a right respect for the power they wield. Bless with your presence all those in every nation who bear arms and those who, in conscience, can not. May your will be our will, and may all our paths lead to peace. This we pray in the name of the One who is our true security, Jesus Christ. AMEN. Diocesan Prayer
You may find the following prayers in The Book of Common Prayer helpful:
Page 815 – #3 for the Human Family and #4 for Peace
Page 816 - #5 for Peace Among the Nations and #6 for Our Enemies
Page 823 - #25 for those in the Armed Forces of Our Country
Page 832 –#58 for Guidance
Page 833 - #62 a Prayer attributed to St. Francis
You may also find that hymns are helpful as expressions of prayer:
#569 – God the Omnipotent
#573 – Father Eternal, Ruler of Creation
#579 – Almighty Father Strong to Save
#593 – Lord Make Us Servants
#594 – God of Grace, God of Glory
#597 – O Day of Peace that Dimly Shines
also #601, 607, 629, 665, and 718
O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN. BCP, p. 832
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If you would like to ask the congregation
to pray for particular individuals in the midst of this conflict, please contact
the church office at 442-3544, or while visiting the church -- complete one of
the green prayer request forms. You may place it into one of the prayer request
boxes or hand it to a member of the clergy.
Additional Prayers offered by the Clergy or Parishioner's of St. Thomas'
Adaptation of a prayer from Evening Prayer II, BCP by the rector:
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who are in Iraq, who watch or weep, and give your angels charge over those in harm’s way. Tend to the wounded, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary; bless the dying; soothe the suffering; have compassion on the families, widows and orphans, all for your love’s sake. Amen.
Prayer written by Jim Boynton:
The Cup of War
Why then, we ask, must it be thus? The fighting, dying, all the pain. The huff and puff and all the fuss, cannot begin to blot the stain of tortured boys in hell's embrace. We know that man is born to sin, Must look the devil in the face. Yet, this war wears our morals thin.
Why then must sons of God endure those same things God's Son came to cure? What does it mean then when we pray, for God to take this cup away? Can we ever see mid the strife, this cup could bear the bread of life?