Prayer for Peace

This afternoon as I was reading my text on Martin Luther King Jr. and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, considering their examples of Christ-like care for the world, I was reminded of the dire situations the world is facing. While the world is full of wars right now, the peace of Christ is still alive in the hearts of his people. I decided to write a prayer that expresses a desire for the peace of Christ to come and rescue our world.

Loving and merciful God,
Who created all things well,
Who even in our sin has chosen to save us,
As your people we pray for your world.
For we are well aware of its groaning.
War is ravaging many parts of the globe,
Rumors of war are spreading as well.
Violence is in our cities and in our homes,
Violence is in your church and in us, your children.
We implore you, the Prince of Peace,
Who repaid no one evil for evil,
But taught us to turn the other cheek,
To forgive us our sins against you,
and to teach us to live like Christ.
We are your people, scattered among the nations.
Some of us live among the oppressed,
Some of us live among the oppressors.
We ask, Lord Christ, that as your people,
We will stand in solidarity with the downtrodden.
That we will be ministers of peace and justice.
That we will live true to the teachings of Christ,
And as your people show the world there is another way.
Establish your kingdom, Lord God,
Where suffering and violence are no more.
World without end.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.