Prayer upon commencement of war on Iraq
by the Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar and Elenie Huszagh
National Council of Churches

As US hostilities begin against Iraq:

We pray for the men and women of the armed forces of both sides,
facing grave dangers in a mission not of their making.

We pray for the innocent civilians of Iraq, especially the children.
May they be protected from harm and the multiple injustices of war.

We pray for all the people of the world who will be put at risk
by the unintended consequences of this war.

We pray for all those in poverty
whose fragile well-being will be sacrificed
in the preoccupation with—and expense of—this war.

We who have worked so hard to avert a preemptive war against Iraq
mourn for all the lives now threatened by the failure of their leaders
to find alternatives to war.

Finally, we pray for the leaders
     of the United States,
     of Iraq,
     and of the United Nations,
that they may learn from the history of failures
of heart, mind, and will that led to this war.

We encourage houses of worship to stay open for prayer throughout the war, and for churches to extend a special hand of friendship to people of other faiths at this potentially divisive time.

The Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar is general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ, and Elenie Huszagh is president.

Lord, we come before you today with a heavy heart. Our nation is once again at war, and while we may not hear the thunder of bombardment or feel our own lives imperiled, we know that in our world there are those who do–on this day, in this moment. We know war to be a scourge on the human family, brought about by our own deceit, greed, and arrogance; equipped by our own terrible weapons; launched or incited by our own lack of creativity, conviction, and compassion to find some other way.

We repent–not for ourselves alone, but on behalf of your human family. Purge us of the attitudes that give rise to war, free us of the animosities that give license to war, rid us of the callousness that can even abide war as an option in human affairs.

We plead–not for ourselves alone, but on behalf of all those who now directly suffer on either side of the line of battle. We plead not for your blessing on one or the other, but for all these to find in you some source of comfort in the midst of trouble and trauma. We pray for the leaders, that they may move beyond their own biases and interests, to the interest of the human beings at their command and within their reach.

Lord, we recognize that there is evil in our world. It is plain to see. Help us to also see that we ourselves are not fully good, but hold within our own hearts the capacity for ill. Help us as well to see that even in our foe, the capacity for good resides. Give us then humility in our own lives and the ability to see your image in the lives of each of your children.

Now we pray for the courage to believe: to believe in the power of suffering love as exemplified in your son; to believe in the working of the Spirit, who can transform us and our world in ways we cannot yet imagine; to believe in your love for the world–love that extends to the least and the last, to friend and to foe, to combatant and to civilian. May this love yet transform us, and through us your world.

In Jesus' name,
Amen.

"Prayer for a time of war" written by David Radcliff, director of Brethren Witness

Copyright © 2003 Kathy Guisewite. Kathy is a member of the West Richmond Church of the Brethren.

Prayers for peace, personally and in the world
by Joel Kline

Hymn #538

"Lead me, Lord"

Prayer

God of righteousness and hope, We come this day,
	some of us burdened by brokenness in the significant relationships of our lives, some of us bruised and battered by life's struggles and experiences of rejection, some of us insecure and yearning for a deeper taste of your presence, O God,
		yet uncertain of how we might discover that presence.
Whatever our personal situation and our unique needs, O God, hear the deepest cries of our hearts—
	cries for a taste of that peace which passes all understanding, a peace we cannot create on our own power, a peace that comes as gift from you. . . .
God of peace, not only do we pray for peace in our hearts, but even more, for peace in our communities and peace in our world. For we live in a world filled with wars and rumors of war, a world that is threatening and anxious. Our own government plots war against Iraq, with little regard for the perspective of others, even our own allies. Lead us, God in paths of peace. Forgive our foolish ways. Make your way plain before us, that all the peoples of your creation might truly dwell together in safety and in peace. Lead us, Lord. Lead us in your righteousness. Amen.

Copyright © 2002 Joel Kline. This prayer was used in worship at Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, Elgin, Ill., Sept. 1, 2002.