O God,
you are our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult. (Psalm 46)
In this time of wars, and rumours of wars, and threats of wars,
we place our trust in you, O God.
And we pray for peace.
For peace in the world and for peace in the hearts of your people.
In this time of violence, and terror, and political upheaval,
we cling to you for courage and hope, O God.
And we pray for compassion.
For compassion for our friends and compassion for our enemies.
In this time of fires, and floods, and one natural disaster after another,
we look to you for help and strength, O God.
And we pray for healing.
For the healing of the Earth and the healing of your people.
Give wisdom to those who govern the nations of the world,
and guide them to work for peace with justice for all.
Give courage to those who are working to help others in need,
and ensure that they have all the resources that they require.
Give comfort to those whose hearts, lives, and communities are broken,
and sustain them with your love until they can see hope for the future once again.
We pray for people around the world, especially those in Australia and Iran;
Yemen and Venezuela, Hong Kong and Lebanon; Syria, the United States and Canada.
We pray for every place where your children are at war, in danger, in hunger, or in grief.
We pray for those who are seeking you or doubting your presence.
With the psalmist, we remember and trust
that you make wars cease to the end of the earth;
you break the bow, and shatter the spear; you burn the shields with fire.
You say to us: “Be still and know that I am God!”
And so we pray: Still our hearts, O God, and calm our fears.
Use our prayers and our lives, our gifts and our acts of service
to touch this hurting world with your love and healing.
O God, you are our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Amen.
—The Rev. Amanda Currie, Moderator of the 2019 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada (www.presbyterian.ca)