PC(USA) - Presbyterian Peacemaking Program - Iraq


	Prayers

	A family prayer Lord, we pray for everybody serving overseas, and for their family and friends back here at home. We pray for the sick, wounded, missing and captured — please let them all make it home safe. And for those who you have called home to you, please give extra strength to their friends and families still here. All this we pray in Jesus' name. Amen. — CPT Jerry Koltz, Provost Marshal, 3rd Brigade Combat Team 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas Our family has prayed this prayer before, during and after 29 months (so far) of deployments to Iraq. It's pretty simple, but it's prayed nightly with our son, now 6, who was only 3 when we started. A prayer for God’s presence with family members who serve God, I might not always open up to you, I might call on you when I need you and I feel lost, I might call on you when I'm scared and feeling weak. But your presence never is far; it is always with me, everyday, every mission, every task, no matter how big or how small. I lean on you. You are my Savior and my grace. You are the guiding light in my actions, the truth, the rock. And I come to you now, asking you to continue to guide me, to watch over me, to watch over my boys as they go day to day through life. Keep us safe, keep us humble and keep us in your grace. We will continue to serve you and serve our nation in times of peace and times of war, and we will continue to be your humble servant in all that we do. Thank you Lord for all that you do for me and for us and all the protection you provide to us daily. In your most gracious name, amen. — Betsy Evans, Tenant Coordinator A prayer for those serving in the military Lord, God and most benevolent Father, we ask for your divine blessing and loving watch over our brave and courageous soldiers and Marines as they stand watch as guardians of our freedom, our liberty and our national right to worship in Your name, unafraid and unthreatened in our home and in our country. We give thanks to you our Lord for every day that we reap the blessing of life, sound body and protection from threat or injury on the battlefield. We give thanks also that our families at home remain safe and in good health as a result of your blessings, and because of your unlimited love. Lord, we ask for your forgiveness and mercy for our failures and imperfections, especially during these times of separation, physical trial and daily challenge to our moral character and our bodily well-being. Give us the strength and reinforce us with the fortitude and perseverance to withstand temptation, to overcome adversity, to reject failure and never to seek counsel in our fears. I acknowledge to you O Lord, and all who will hear me, that all I am, all that I ever will be, is because of you and is through you and your infinite love for me. You are the light, the source of my strength and the true way to eternal life. In your name I give thanks. Amen. — N. F. Espitia, CSM (ret.) A prayer for Iraq and its people Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial. (James 1:12) O Lord, our Holy God, the all powerful. We beseech you, we humiliate ourselves for the name of our savior Jesus Christ, to send your holy spirit to shade the land of Iraq so that peace may prevail in its dwellings, and the acts of violence, killing, kidnapping and persecution may cease, so that displaced may return to their homes, the churches may reopen their gates without fear from shells and explosion. So that the smile may be seen again on the faces of children that had been stolen from them here in this difficult time. So that the elderly may lean back on their chairs in comfort and tranquility saying farewell to their children when leaving for their school or work without anxiety or fear from not coming back and not seeing them again. So that mothers no thoughts beside a happy, prosperous and peaceful future for them. O Lord have pity on us we Iraqis, let the light of your face shine on us, bless us, strengthen our belief and bestow patience on us. O Lord your sons in Iraq can no longer endure more of what happened and what is happening to them from pains and tragedies. A word from you would stop everything. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work with us. (Ephesians 3:20) Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. (2 Thessalonians 3:1) Amen. — Yousif Al-Saka Chairman of Baghdad Presbyterian Church General Secretary of Presbyterian Churches of Iraq A Prayer for a Soldier Son Dear Lord, Please protect and direct my son as he performs his duties on this day. May the Holy Spirit fill him and lean him so that he makes the best of decisions as he guides his team through the dangers they will encounter. Let him and those around him feel loved and protected on this day ... through the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray ... Amen. This prayer written by David Castello, husband of Debby Vial of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, for his son Sergeant David Castello III of the Army 101st Airborne Division. This prayer was one of many said during David’s tour in Iraq. He returned from his latest deployment in 2007. Currently, David serves in the Florida National Guard. A prayer of confession for peace Leader: Hear the words of the psalmist. The law of God is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of God are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of God are right, rejoicing the heart; the ordinances of God are true, and righteous altogether. Yet we turn from them and thus need to confess our own involvement in all that renders asunder the fabric of shalom. All: We gather so close to the gates of power, yet so far from the power of love. We gather close together, yet so far from the beloved community of God's imagination. We huddle in fear, too timid and tepid to stand with the least of these, to stand for justice, to stand for peace. Thus we stand complicit in the very violence that we stand to condemn. We should stand under judgment, yet we stand before a God whose love and mercy are beyond our understanding. Love us into wholeness, O God, that we might stand for peace this night. Amen. — This prayer is used in monthly peace vigils in Lafayette Park, Washington D.C. A Prayer for Ash Wednesday (Scripture — Psalm 107) Our Lord and sustainer, as we come into this time of Lent, we often think of this period as a desert wasteland. Deserts often provoke thoughts of harshness, of dryness, of nothingness. But a desert is a place filled with life bursting through precious stillness. A drop of water brings an explosion of color, growth, transformation, life. May we take this time of stillness to remember others who are trapped in desert wastelands. We especially remember the women and men serving in our military, their families, and the veterans who have served with great honor. May we also remember those living in Iraq and those Iraqis living in exile who are waiting for the drop of refreshing rain that will transform a desert of violence into a desert of life. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. — Amanda Craft, Presbyterian Peacemaking Program



	A Prayer from the FRG Leader (Note: the FRG is the Family Readiness Group, and is typically led by the spouse of a senior leader in the organization.) Rumors, rumors rumors…. How I hate rumors! Lord, If one more spouse spreads a rumor About soldiers coming home, I’ll scream!! I don’t know when they will return…. NOBODY knows when! Yet they look at me with suspicion, as if I am keeping secrets. Help them to understand, Lord How much I miss MY husband; How it hurts to watch his offspring grow and know he is missing so much. I need patience to face another wife who unloads her problems on me. Strength to offer a ride to the store, Or watch her kids a few hours. Help me keep calm When Rear-D leaders patronize me Or fail to consider my recommendations. And quell my frustration with Army red tape TRICARE DEERS Pay issues You know, Lord….forget all that. I want but one thing… Bring my husband home safely And I will bless Your Holy Name All the days of my life. Amen. [Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Barbara K. Sherer]



	Prayer for a Hot Desert Afternoon "When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah's head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, "It would be better for me to die than to live." (Jonah 4:8) My God, my God, How can I survive this heat? My strength pours out Like water on the desert sand. I am exhausted, yet cannot sleep. And so I sit, staring at tent walls. Hoping for any distraction from the sweat, T-shirt soaked in sweat, Chairs salt-stained from the sweat. Please send: Ice for my cooler A breeze thru the bunker where I read Worthy opponents for "Tiger Woods Golf" And A new DVD I haven't seen Deliver me, Lord, from this agony. Is it air conditioned in heaven? I'm on my way! Or, maybe, I'll just stop by the DFAC for a long lunch. With Your help, O Lord, I will survive one more afternoon Until the setting sun Brings blessed coolness once again. Amen. [Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Barbara K. Sherer for the "Ice Man"]



	Prayer from the Chaplain Lord, I am the shepherd of an unruly flock. Soldiers in crisis, Families with impossible problems, Command that think my only purpose Is to pray for the weather! Why do I have to beg, borrow, or steal Every supply I need to perform my mission? And why is it no one ever stops by to say: "Chaplain, just wanted to tell you Things are great today!" Sometimes I wonder why I left my civilian church. Then, through Your grace, I recall... The face of a young mother in the hospital, An MRE shared in a sandstorm, The haunting refrain of taps... And I remember why I am here. For You said, "Who will walk the muddy, lonesome path With my men and women in uniform?" And I said, "Here am I, Lord. Send me." Amen [Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Barbara K. Sherer — for Roger, Larry, and all the UMTS of 3rd ID]


	A Prayer for Healing Though we raise our hands against those that inhabit this planet with us, and cause all manner of suffering because we are stronger and have bigger swords, forgive us, O God. Though at times we forget to live in humility and simplicity, ignoring the needs of those less fortunate while we indulge lavishly without want, teach us, O God. Though we are quick to judge others who are different from us, dismissing other ways of living, speaking, and worshiping as inferior to our own, accept us, O God. Though the good we do is oft overshadowed by the consequences of that which may be the result of arrogance, shortsightedness, or greed, embrace us, O God. Though we send our sons and daughters to kill and die in foreign lands, dismissing the cost, and failing to notice the cries of the mothers of our enemies, comfort us, O God. Though we claim to love the rule of law, yet imprison in the name of freedom, lie in the name of truth, and destroy in the cause of rebirth, rule us, O God. For above all, we wish to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God, and we hunger for peace and righteousness. We know but that for your grace, we would not be worthy to ask these things, yet believing that you are the author of all things good, asking, pleading, begging, we beseech your healing on us and our land, and on the lives and land of those with whom we struggle. God of Peace and Love, revive us and heal your creation. Amen. [Bryan M. Reiff]



	For Those Who Return from the War in Iraq Gracious God, you keep our going out and our coming in, we give thanks for your presence with us at all times and in all places. We have watched and waited, worried and prayed as Name/s went to serve in Iraq. Now with families in this community and across our nation, we welcome him/her/them home. We give thanks for the safe return of Name/s. As he/she/they return/s, surround him/her/them with your love, keep him/her/them with your grace, and fill him/her/them with your peace. Guide him/her/them as they reunite with their families and resume their routines. Send your Holy Spirit and ease the transition. Provide patience for getting reacquainted and learning to live together; healing for wounds seen and unseen; openness for times when expectations are unmet; strength to forgive when anger and resentment get in the way; and all that is needed for the living of these days. With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen [Presbyterian Peacemaking Program]



	For Those Who Were Killed During the War in Iraq Eternal God, from whom all life comes, to whom all life returns, we give you thanks for those who died while serving in Iraq. We give thanks for their lives, their goodness, and their love. This day we give special thanks for Name/s. We are grateful that for a season you allowed us to share life with him/her/them. We commend him/her/them to your keeping, knowing that he/she/they are held forever in your love. Still our loss wounds us and we mourn. We pray for families and friends and all who grieve for loved ones lost in this war. Meet them in the valley of death's shadow. Embrace them in the healing warmth of your comfort, grace, and love. Grant them and all of us the assurance that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen. [Presbyterian Peacemaking Program]



	For Those Who Were Wounded During the War in Iraq Merciful God, you bear the hurt of the world; some wounds are readily apparent; some are hidden. We pray for those who return from Iraq with wounds in body, mind, or spirit, visible and less obvious. We pray especially today for Name/s. Touch each one with your grace. Work your healing in all the forms that healing takes. Strengthen loved ones who provide care. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. [Presbyterian Peacemaking Program]



	For Those in the Military Righteous God, you rule the nations. Guard brave men and women who risk themselves in battle for their country. Give them compassion for enemies who also fight for patriotic causes. Keep our sons and daughters from hate that hardens, or from scorekeeping with human lives. Though they must be at war, let them live for peace, as eager for agreement as for victory. Encourage them as they encourage one another, and never let hard duty separate them from loyalty to your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. [Book of Common Worship, p. 818, #733]



	For Family and Friends of Those Serving in the Military God of love, we pray for families left behind by those called to serve in the armed forces. We pray for husband, wives, and partners, for sisters and brothers, sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, cousins and grandparent, aunts and uncles, co-workers and special friends. We pray for all who wait and wonder and worry on account of one they love. Stand with them in these anxious moments. Help them feel your loving presence embracing them, embracing those they love. Inspire us to provide wise, compassionate, effective care. Speed the day when they will know glad reunion. In Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. [Presbyterian Peacemaking Program]

	For the People of Iraq O God, from age to age you are God; your care extends to the farthest reaches of the earth. We pray for the people of Iraq, who have endured oppression, who have gone through wars, who have borne sanctions, who have experienced the bombings of the no-fly zones, and who have again faced war. We give you thanks that this war has come to an end. Comfort those Iraqis who grieve for loved ones, soldiers and civilians alike, who were killed during this war. Care for those who were wounded in body, mind, and spirit. Strengthen those who care for them. Defend the people from all who would exploit present uncertainty for personal gain. Break the hold of hate; free people from the cycle of vengeful violence for remembered wrongs. Protect those who provide humanitarian aid; bless their efforts. Guide the people and the leaders to create a new Iraq where justice, freedom, and peace prevail. We pray in Jesus Christ trusting that you will meet the needs of the people of Iraq better than we are able to ask. Amen. [Presbyterian Peacemaking Program]



	For a World at War God for all the world, as we focus our prayers on the needs of those involved in the war in Iraq, remind us that there are many wars and armed conflicts taking place around your world today. In Angola and Zimbabwe, in Colombia and Uzbekistan, in the Kashmir and the Philippines. and in too many other places, your children know war and conflict fueled by present injustices and wrongs remembered. Provide the people in such situations the hope and faith and love to endure. Provide leaders the courage and vision to seek and implement nonviolent solutions that do justice for all. Bless the efforts of those who work for peace in all these places. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. [Presbyterian Peacemaking Program]



	For the Indwelling of God’s Peace God of hope and peace, God of life and love, you broke into the world not with the clamor of battle but with the cry of a tiny babe; now break into the lives of your children around the world. May we open ourselves to the indwelling of your Holy Spirit that we might be converted from violence to your peace. Thus transformed, may we convert our weapons of destruction into implements of healing and production so that all your children know justice, wholeness, and well-being. We pray in the name of that tiny babe, Jesus the Christ, the Prince of Peace. Amen. [Presbyterian Peacemaking Program]



	For an End to War O God, Speed the day when bows are broken, spears are shattered, weapons are dismantled, war is no more and peace prevails throughout your world. Speed the day. Guide us to work for that day. In Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. [Presbyterian Peacemaking Program]



	For Government Leaders O Lord, our governor, your glory shines throughout the world. We commend our nation to your merciful care, That we may live securely in peace and may be guided by your providence. Give all in authority the wisdom and strength to know your will and to do it. Help them remember that they are called to serve the people as lovers of truth and justice; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen [Book of Common Worship, pp. 816-7, #729]



	Litany for World Peace O God our Parent, we pray for all your children on earth, of every nation and of every race; that they may be strong to do our will. We pray for the church in the world Give peace in our time, O God. For the United Nations; Give peace in our time, O God. For international organizations; Give peace in our time, O God. For world leaders, departments of state, ambassadors and diplomats; Give peace in our time, O God. For worldwide agencies of compassion, which bind wounds and feed the hungry; Give peace in our time, O God. For all who in any way work to further the cause of peace and goodwill; Give peace in our time, O God. For common folk in every land who seek to live in peace; Give peace in our time, O God. Eternal God, use us to bring about your holy will. Hurry the day when people shall live together in your love; for yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen. [The Worshipbook , pp. 125-6, adapted]



	For Chaplains O God, you have ordered men and women to serve the church, and given them special gifts by your Spirit. May those who serve as chaplains in the military be strong in faith. Keep them from being discouraged. Let them bring hope and friendship wherever they serve; through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen. [The Worshipbook, p. 195; note that the words "in the military" have been added]



	For Those Who Refuse Military Sevice God of peace, whose Son Jesus Christ came preaching goodwill; guard brave people among us who refuse military service because of conviction. May they never confuse conscience with cowardice, but, in good faith, withstand all public opposition. Save them from self-righteousness. Give them charity to love sisters and brothers who serve and fight, but courage to speak the call to peace, heard in Jesus Christ. Amen. [The Worshipbook, pp. 187-188; note that the words "sisters and" have been added]



	For Those We Call Our Enemies Gracious God, your son Jesus calls us to love one another, guide us to pray for our enemies, to forgive them, as you have forgive us, and to seek ways to love them. Stand with those we call our enemies. Make your presence known to them. Comfort them in their grief. Strengthen them for the living of these days. Open us to your transforming grace, that it might lead us to see and treat each other as sisters and brothers. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. [Presbyterian Peacemaking Program ]