A collection of prayers taken from the
Book of Common Worship
of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

For Peace
Eternal God,
in your perfect realm no sword is drawn
but the sword of righteousness,
and there is no strength
but the strength of love.
So mightily spread abroad your Spirit,
that all peoples may be gathered
under the banner of the Prince of Peace,
as your children;
to you be dominion and glory,
now and forever. Amen.

For the Human Family
O God, you made us in your own image
and redeemed us through Jesus your Son.
Look with compassion on the whole human family,
take away the arrogance and hatred that infect our hearts,
break down the walls that separate us,
unite us in bonds of love,
and, through our struggle and confusion,
work to accomplish your purposes on earth;
that, in your good time,
all nations and races may serve you in harmony
around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Peace Brother Roger of Taizé
Lord Christ,
at times we are like
strangers on this earth,
taken aback by all the violence,
the harsh oppositions.
Like a gentle breeze,
you breathe upon us the Spirit of peace.
Transfigure the deserts of our doubts,
and so prepare us
to be bearers of reconciliation
wherever you place us,
until the day when a hope of peace
dawns in our world. Amen.

For Racial Peace
Great God over us all,
destroy prejudice that turns us
against one another.
Teach us that we are all
children of your love,
whether we are black or red
or white or yellow.
Encourage us to live together,
loving one another in peace,
so that someday a golden race of people
may have the world,
giving praise to Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Racial and Cultural Diversity
O God,
you created all people in your image.
We thank you for the astonishing variety
of races and cultures in this world.
Enrich our lives by ever-widening
circles of friendship,
and show us your presence in those who differ most from us,
until our knowledge of your love
is made perfect
in our love for all your children;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Peace Among Nations
Almighty God,
guide the nations of the world into ways of justice and truth,
and establish among them that peace
which is the fruit of righteousness,
that they may become the kingdom
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

For World Community
Almighty God,
in Jesus Christ you have ordered us
to live as loving neighbors.
Though we are scattered in different places,
speak different words,
or descend from different races,
give us common concern,
so that we may be one people,
who share the governing of the world
under your guiding purpose.
May greed, war,
and lust for power be curbed,
and all people enter the community of love
promised in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For World Religions
We thank you, God of the universe,
that you call all people to worship you
and to serve your purpose in this world.
We praise you for the gift of faith
we have received in Jesus Christ.
We praise you also for diverse faith
among the peoples of the earth.
For you have bestowed your grace
that Christians, Jews, Muslims,
Buddhists, and others
may celebrate your goodness,
act upon your truth,
and demonstrate your righteousness.
In wonder and awe
we praise you great God. Amen.

For International Organizations
O God,
we pray for all international organizations of goodwill,
that their efforts may lead to a strengthening
of those influences which make for peace.
Great sacrifices have been made for war;
awaken in us and in all people, O God,
the willingness to make
great sacrifices for peace,
so that the day may be hastened
when no nation
shall draw the sword against another,
and people no longer shall learn to fight.
We ask in the name of him who is the Prince of Peace. Amen.
For Governments of the World
High God, holy God:
you rule the ways of peoples,
and govern every earthly government.
Work with those who work for peace.
Make every person in authority an agent of your reconciliation,
and every diplomat
an ambassador of hope.
Bring peace and goodwill
among all people,
fulfilling among us the promise made
in Jesus Christ, who was born to save the world. Amen.

In a Time of International Crisis
Eternal God, our only hope,
our help in times of trouble:
show nations ways to work out differences.
Do not let threats multiply
or power be used without compassion.
May your will overrule human willfulness,
so that people may agree and settle claims peacefully.
Hold back those who are impulsive,
lest desire for vengeance overwhelm our common welfare.
Bring peace to earth,
through Jesus Christ,
the Prince of Peace and Savior of us all. Amen.

For Peace in the Church
God of our lives,
by the power of your Holy Spirit
we have been drawn together by one baptism into one faith,
serving one Lord and Savior.
Do not let us tear away from one another
through division or hard argument.
May your peace embrace our differences,
preserving us in unity,
as one body of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Church Unity
God, good beyond all that is good,
fair beyond all that is fair,
in you is calmness, peace, and concord.
Heal the dissensions that divide us from one another
and bring us back to a unity of love
bearing some likeness
to your divine nature.
Through the embrace of love
and the bonds of godly affection,
make us one in the Spirit
by your peace which makes
all things peaceful.
We ask this through the grace,
mercy, and tenderness
of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Other Churches
Almighty God,
in Jesus Christ you called disciples
and prayed for them to be joined in faith.
We pray for Christian churches from which we are separated.
Let us never be so sure of ourselves
that we condemn the faith of others
or refuse reunion with them,
but make us ever ready
to reach out for more truth,
so that your church may be one in the Spirit;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Jews
Almighty God, you are the one true God,
and have called forth people of faith
in every time and place.
Your promises are sure and true.
We bless you for your covenant given to Abraham and Sarah,
that you keep even now with the Jews.
We rejoice that you have brought us into covenant with you
by the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ,
himself a Jew, nurtured in the faith of Israel.
We praise you that you are faithful
to covenants made with us
and Jewish brothers and sisters,
that together we may serve your will,
and come at last to your promised peace. Amen.

For Muslims
Eternal God,
you are the one God
to be worshiped by all,
the one called Allah
by your Muslim children,
descendants of Abraham as we are.
Give us grace to hear your truth
in the teachings of Mohammed,
the prophet,
and to show your love as disciples of Jesus Christ,
that Christians and Muslims together
may serve you in faith and friendship. Amen.

For Our Country
Almighty God,
you have given us
this good land as our heritage.
Make us always remember your generosity
and constantly do your will.
Bless our land with honest industry,
sound learning,
and an honorable way of life.
Save us from violence,
discord, and confusion;
from pride and arrogance,
and from every evil way.
Make us who come from many nations
with many different languages
a united people.
Defend our liberties
and give those whom we have entrusted
with the authority of government
the spirit of wisdom,
that there might be justice and peace
in our land.
When times are prosperous,
let our hearts be thankful;
and, in troubled times,
do not let our trust in you fail.
We ask all this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Government Leaders
O Lord, our governor,
your glory shines throughout the world.
We commend our nation
to your merciful care,
that we may live securely in peace
and may be guided by your providence.
Give all in authority the wisdom and strength
to know your will and to do it.
Help them remember that they are called to serve the people
as lovers of truth and justice;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Our Nation (Woodrow Wilson)
Almighty God,
ruler of all the peoples of the earth,
Forgive, we pray,
our shortcomings as a nation;
Purify our hearts to see and love truth;
Give wisdom to our counselors and steadfastness to our people;
And bring us at last to the fair city of peace,
Whose foundations are mercy,
justice, and goodwill,
And whose builder and maker you are,
Through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Selected prayers printed from the
Book of Common Worship
1993 Westminster / John Knox Press
Reprinted with permission