Prayers

Peace Prayer

The Reverend Susan Veronica Rak
Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Bridgeport
Stratford CT

[In my pluralistic tradition prayer is a sometimes challenging word, since most people assume it means praying to God. But the ancient roots of the word remind us that to pray is to ask. The word prayer has its roots in Latin: precarious – obtain by begging; precari – to entreat; supplication; to entreat. As we pray here today, we are asking one another - our fellow human beings – to pay attention, to give witness to and to change. In that spirit, may we pray together, beg for an end to violence and war, entreat one another and out leaders to seek ways of true compassion and understanding, and beg to be heard.]

We turn now to face that which is holy, that manifestation of creation and the divine that speaks to us and through us, known by many names and many forms.
In our singularity, in our diversity and in our community, we pray.

Spirit of Life, in these days of war and rumors of war,
We pray for compassion, peace, justice in Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel, Palestine, and in our own country, and in all lands, for all people.
We ask that leaders over all the world pray for wisdom, and find it abundant.
We pray that the virtues of patience and forbearance outweigh arrogance and violence in response to disagreement or conflict.
We ask that teachers and preachers look beyond “the book”, and find the Holy that is beyond all books.

We pray for all who, in the face of war and the fear or terrorist acts, dread opening each day’s newspaper headlines and the words of color-coded words of fear; may they find courage to face the unknown.
We pray for all those who think duct tape, plastic sheeting and bottled water will redeem their lives; may they find security in reaching out to one another.
We pray for all who feel the earth trembling beneath their feet, torn apart by opposing powers who show neither desire for reconciliation nor skills for living together in peace; may they find refuge.
We pray that compassion and strength fill all our hearts, so that we may know for whom we pray – that we pray for those far away and for ourselves.

May we have courage to speak with the language of respect and understanding,
and may our capacity to listen and understand be increased. May we, in keeping vigil in these days, be filled with gratitude and hope as we witness for peace, as we exercise our rights as citizens and fulfill ourselves as human beings in partnership with a loving and life-giving creation.

In these days of uncertainty and fear, O most gracious and merciful God, Spirit of Life and Love, grant us a renewed commitment to live each day guided by principles of love and justice; may we never relinquish hope that peace will prevail.

Unitarian Universalist Association
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