Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before you with humble hearts, asking for your peace and guidance. In a time when division, conflict, and misunderstanding seem to separate people, we pray that you would unite us in love, compassion, and respect. End wars as only your message of perfect love can. Unify your children as only your perfect love can. Let us keep in thought Jesus’ prayer for unity – in the Gospel of John – where he prayed: “That they may be one; as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us.”
Lead – as only you can – the discussions between the United States and Iran this week concerning deals and a ceasefire. Help both sides to see that only through you can peace be achieved. Hold the war with Lebanon as they are agreeing to a “mutual cessation of attacks” with Israel. Calm the tensions in Kuwait. In your love, hold tempers during heated diplomatic exchanges between the USA and Israel.
Help us to see one another as your children, created in your image and worthy of dignity and kindness. Remove hatred from our hearts and replace that with an understanding heart. Where there is anger, sow patience. Where there is fear, bring courage. Where there is division, create harmony. Where there is disease, bring healing.
We are grateful for breakthroughs in Duroxon Rasip, a pancreatic cancer drug. Bring healing to the Ebola epidemic in Central Africa. Protect all who have been exposed – especially in South Sudan, Uganda, and the DRC. Help us to see that only your good is spreading over the world.
Teach leaders of states, cities, regions and nations to seek wisdom, justice, and peace. Shrink egos as you are the only perfect ego. Strengthen communities to work together for the common good. Inspire each of us to be instruments of your love, showing grace to our neighbors and extending a hand to those in need.
Don’t let us forget our brothers and sisters in Ukraine who are still at war with Russia. We pray for those affected and wounded by the recent drones on St. Petersburg. May these prayers bring comfort for all who have been touched by this war. Help them to find refuge in you.
We acknowledge that all wisdom, knowledge and creativity ultimately belong to you. You are the source of all truth and the giver of every good gift. As humanity develops new technologies, including AI – artificial intelligence – let us not lose sight of you, Father, the supreme intelligence. Lord – as the Pope has warned us – prevent us from trusting human knowledge above your eternal wisdom. May we use every gift, every discovery, and every innovation in ways that honor you and bless the world.
May your light shine across every nation, culture and people, reminding us that we are stronger when we stand together. Help us to build bridges instead of walls, to listen instead of judge, and to love as you have loved us. Help us to be courteous, kind one to another, and accepting of each other’s contributions.
Pr1otect the USA from violence during the World Cup and Pride Month celebrations. Bind us together in unity. Help us to be accepting – even when we disagree or are disappointed.
Lord, let your peace fill the earth and your unity bind humanity. In the sentiment of the words to “Let There Be Peace on Earth” – by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson – please Lord, let it begin with us. We pray to you the beautiful lyrics to this song of hope and harmony:
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be
With God as our Father
Brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony
Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow:
To take each moment and live each moment
In peace, eternally
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
As Jesus prayed, make us one – make us one family under God – united in purpose, united in hope, and united in love. May our unity be a witness to the world of your goodness and grace.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray.
Amen!