Five Prayers for World Peace

With today’s award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Navi Pillay, my mind is drawn to the millions who live under the onslaught of horrific conflict. Last night, 15 men gathered in our home for a monthly prayer group, and inevitably, we were drawn to intercede for global peace. Yet year after year, we pray the same prayers—often even for the same countries.  Last night our prayers were drawn to Palestinians who have prayed for peace and justice for 70 years—only to see conflict and oppression grow worse. 

Our words seem to grow as thin and frail as ceasefires. So, what can we pray when we’ve run out of our own words?

“Our leaders puff themselves up with lies and pretense. Speak your word, O Lord, and silence their falsehoods. Stretch out your power and rescue us from hatred. Breathe your just love to heal our fractured nations, and bring peace.” (based on Psalm 144)

I’ve been drawn over and over to the Psalms, these 3000-year-old, time tested prayers. Wanting to pray them in the context of our own anguish, I’ve focused their pleas on current realities. I’ve especially been praying them on behalf of Palestinians, Afghanis, Sudanese, Iranians, Ukrainians, and the millions being  denied asylum. 

May they be of help for you as you give voice to our plea for peace.

140 A prayer for deliverance
Why do so many enemies stalk us, Lord?
Pleas for deliverance dominate our prayer life.
Once again we ask you to protect us from others’ violence.
Turn back those who plot our destruction.

War is continually on their mind. Their only language is violence.
Guard us, Lord. Keep us out of their hands.
Protect us from their strategies to take people captive.
Humble them amidst their proud plans to destroy us.

They roam the streets with gangs, and fill the media with lies.
Threats, guns, handcuffs, and bombs are their tools.
You are our God, our strength, our deliverer.
Do not grant the desires of those who seek our harm.

Do not let liars and evildoers rule over our land.
Curtail their schemes. Stop them. Silence their lies.
We know you hear the cries of the victims of oppression.
You guard the rights of the poor and powerless.

So come Lord, execute justice for the oppressed.
May your righteousness flood our streets.
May those who seek to do good stand freely in your presence.
And may shouts of thanksgiving rise up from our streets.

In defiance and trust we sing a song of mercy and love.
We sing to you as the only victorious warrior.
We sing your praise in joyful resistance against evil and hatred.
Your goodness and kindness will prevail in our nation.

141 A prayer for protection from evil
Lord, the seductive temptations of evil lurk all around me.
Set a guard over my mouth. May I speak no evil.
Set a guard over my heart. May I dream no evil.
Set a guard over my hands. May I do nothing evil.

Lord, lead my steps. May I not be lured by others’ enticements.
Instead of being counseled by those who do evil,
may my counselors be those who seek your righteousness.
May I humbly receive their warnings and corrections.

May you shape my prayers, so my desires are for your will.
May my eyes stay focused on you and all that is good.
May my comfort and refuge be in you and nowhere else.
Keep me from being ensnared in ways that dishonor you.

142 A prayer for deliverance from persecutors
Once again Lord I pour out my complaints before you.
I sink in despair, drowning in my troubles.
My persecutors have laid traps for me.
Everywhere I walk I have to avoid their snares and landmines.

I feel abandoned. No one else pays attention to my suffering.
I am alone, with no safe place, no protection or protector.
So once again I cry to you. You are my life and salvation.
Save me from my adversaries.

I cannot save myself. Bring me out of prison.
Set me free so others can marvel at your mercy and power.
May those who love what is good be encouraged by your faithfulness.
May we celebrate together your bountiful goodness.

143 Another prayer for deliverance
Am I turning prayer into whining Lord?
I know I keep repeating myself, praying the same thing over and over.
I know I do not deserve any special treatment.
My life is as sin-laden and flawed as everyone else’s.

But Lord, the attacks of my enemies are relentless.
Pleas for your intervention are my constant request.
My enemies pursue me nonstop, crushing my life into the ground.
It is like they have already buried me, though I am still breathing.

I am despondent Lord. My heart is broken and my spirit is failing.
I remember the good old days when life was pleasant and good.
You provided for us bountifully and protected us in your love.
I thirst for you Lord, like a person dying for water.

Answer me quickly before it is too late.
When I arise in the morning, may I hear your reassuring voice.
I put my trust in you, knowing you are steadfast and faithful.
I lift my soul to you. Show me what I should do.

I flee to you for refuge from my enemies.
Teach me your will and empower me to do it.
May your Spirit lead me on the straight and level path.
In your righteousness, deliver me from all this trouble.

End the assault of my enemies.
May my adversaries be subdued by your love.
I am your servant, Lord.
May I always trust and obey you, giving thanks in all things.

144 A prayer for deliverance from conflict
O Lord, we know you see that everyone is preparing for war.
You hear the battle cries rising up from our streets.
People are erecting barricades and walls for protection.
Yet you are our only fortress and deliverer.

Enemies can always find ways through our defenses.
Our walls end up imprisoning us as captives to fear.
I wonder why you bother with us Lord.
We are such arrogant, grasping, fearful creatures.

Our days are so brief, passing like shadows on the ground.
Yet we cling to life as if we will be here forever.
We strive for power and control.
Yet our greatest powers are nothing compared to you.

Our leaders puff themselves up with lies and pretense.
Speak your word, O Lord, and silence their falsehoods.
Stretch out your power and rescue us from hatred.
Breathe your just love into our fractured nations and bring peace.

You are the one who rescues us from all cruelty.
We sing of your goodness and mercy.
You are the one who silences all lies and stills all enmity.
We join the grand chorus of praise that unites all creation.

May our children have a future in which they flourish.
May the bounty of your earth be enough for all.
May there be no need for walls. May equity fill the earth.
May songs of praise replace the cries of distress in our streets.