Peace

My mother and I wrote this a few years ago for a commemoration service. It seems especially relevant at times such as these, when Muhammad cartoon protests are spiralling and we hear of new suicide attacks in Iraq every day. I am not personally a Christian any more, but the sentiment remains:

Lord, with the media focusing on the many conflicts overseas please help us not to forget the needs of our own country here at home. Bring understanding and acceptance where there is prejudice and hatred; and grant us a vision of our land as your love would make it.

We pray for our government and its leaders, that you would give them wisdom and compassion in all their decisions. We pray for everyone who takes decisions that affect the lives of others: for judges, doctors, teachers, social workers and civil servants. We ask for them, for ourselves and for all your people that you would help each one of us to understand the needs of others and try to do what is right for those around us so that together we may build a land where justice reigns, where the weak are protected, and where there is no more hunger or poverty:
a land where the benefits of civilised life are shared, for all to enjoy;
a land where different races and cultures live in tolerance and mutual respect:
A land where peace is built with justice, and justice is guided by love.

Please give us the inspiration and courage to work for this land and for your kingdom, for the sake of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

© Alan Bowden and Mary Bowden, 2006