In this second week of Advent, we light the candle of peace. What does it mean for us to seek God’s peace? Is peace a lack of conflict, or is it more? The word so often used for peace in the Bible can also be translated as wholeness. May we seek God’s wholeness this week.
Let us pray:
Holy God,
We pray for the Tigray region of Ethiopia, where month-long fighting has led to death, displacement, and lack of supplies for basic needs. We are heartened by little signs of hope, like the UN aid deal, where the UN will have “unimpeded, sustained, and secure” access to deliver food and medicines to that region.
God of peace,
Make us whole.
We pray for workers’ rights, fair pay, health benefits, and economic justice for the many who experience scarcity as a part of everyday life. We pray for Pakistan, where “invisible” working women, such as home workers and croppers, won more workers’ rights, including new social security benefits.
God of peace,
Make us whole.
We remember this week World AIDS Day on December 1 and pray for the 38 million people living with HIV/AIDS across the globe. We are grateful that each year, organizations and individuals around the globe bring attention to HIV. We ask for continued strength as they endeavor to increase HIV awareness and knowledge, speak out against HIV stigma, and call for an increased response to move toward ending this decades long pandemic.
God of peace,
Make us whole.
We pray for the Earth, where climate change affects us all. We celebrate attention to this crisis and positive steps toward restoration. We pray for New Zealand, where a climate change emergency has been declared, and a carbon-neutral government by 2025 has been pledged.
God of peace,
Make us whole.
We pray for your people around the globe who are still so impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are excited by new technologies that have helped many, and lift India in prayer, where robots now navigate hospitals with chest-mounted tablets, allowing patients and their loved ones to see each other. These robots have also been adapted to assist by taking vital readings and help in consultations.
God of peace,
Make us whole.
Fill us with your Spirit as we seek your peace for all people, and all of creation. May we continue the collective work of reconciliation, that we may truly bring about your wholeness in this broken world.
Amen.
Leave a Reply