Jesus said, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid.’
God of comfort, God of peace, we are often fear-filled people. We regard our world through eyes clouded by tears of fear and frustration, making it difficult to see anything which can bring us peace. And yet, in our anguish, we turn to you, opening our fear-filled hearts in prayer. We pray about:
- The beheading in the Philippines of Canadian, John Ridsdel, by militants linked to the radical Abu Sayyaf group.
- The EU’s toughest asylum law, adopted by the Austrian parliament, aimed at immigrants from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, in their belief that refugees threaten national security.
- The death of composer, singer, and musician, Prince, in the United States.
- The struggle in Brazil to get ready for the Summer Olympics in the midst of political turmoil and economic recession, along with fears about the Zika virus.
- The thousands of Nepali women being trafficked to China, India, and South Korea each year as sex workers and bonded laborers.
- The controversial voter ID law upheld by District Judge Thomas Schroeder, as he stated that it does not disproportionately affect the poor and minority voters, something alleged by the U.S. Justice Department.
Jesus said, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid.’
You come to us in the midst of our fears, Gracious God, bringing us good news of hope; calling us to open our eyes to what is truly good in our world. And, so, even in the midst of our anguish, we open our hearts in prayer. We give thanks for:
- Fifteen-year-old Omaima Hoshan, a Syrian refugee living in Zaatari refugee camp, who, inspired by the book, I Am Malala, is waging a campaign against child marriage.
- Ecuadorian president, Rafael Correa, introducing new regulations to protect the waters around the Galapagos Islands as a marine preserve to protect endangered wildlife such as penguins and sharks.
- The government of Columbia nearing a peace agreement with rebel forces to end a half-century of fighting, one of the longest conflicts in the world.
- A key suspect in the November Paris bombings being handed over to authorities in France so that he can stand trial.
Jesus said, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid.’
And so we entrust our hearts and minds and lives to you, God of comfort, God of peace, and ask that you fill us with the peace that passes understanding, the peace that only you can give. Let it be so. Amen and amen.
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