In these anxious and fractious times, as children of God who is the source of love and peace, we are called to lead our communities to be spaces of refuge and sanctuary.
I am sure most of us are already engaged in manifold ways in our local communities, particularly in reaching out to fellow sisters and brothers from the Muslim community and providing support where it is possible and welcomed. There is no place for Islamophobia, antisemitism and racism. Sadly, they all seem to be converging in the anti-immigrant sentiment being pushed by some in our midst. Prayerfully it needs to be resisted.
As people of prayer, we also cry out to God for peace and understanding among our diverse communities.
To help us, our friends have gathered a few prayer resources that can be used in our community worship and can be used in our personal prayers too. Please use them and encourage others to do the same.
It is my prayer that the misguided people pursuing senseless violence in our midst would realise the futility of their actions. Our posture of hope needs to be shaped by our commitment to work for peace, as Bishop Sarah reminded in her message “together, we must do all we can to look out for and to protect one another.”
May we all strive for Shalom, fullness of life, to all.
+Anderson
Read a related piece by Bishop Anderson in this week’s Church Times
File Downloads
Prayer for Peace during Civil Unrest and Racial Tension
Merciful God, author and giver of peace,
As we continue to pray for the families and friends of those who died
and those who were injured in Southport,
we remember that You have created each of us in your image,
and that everyone is worthy of dignity and respect.
Heavenly Father, listen to the cry that rises from many towns in our country,
from those subjected to violence and racial hatred.
We pray for peace which, as your son Jesus Christ told us,
is a peace which the world cannot give.
We pray that closed eyes may be opened
to see beyond the boundaries of race, religion, and hatred.
May hearts be renewed to embrace all your children as brothers and sisters.
In your righteousness, stir the hearts of your people that,
rejoicing in our diversity, we may be assured of your love,
be free of all fear and strive for peace.
Through your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen
Adaptation of the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Heavenly Father, we cry out to you for our country
and ask that you make us instruments of Your peace.
Where there is racial hatred, help us to sow Your love.
Where there is injury, help us to heal and bring pardon.
Where there is discord, help us to bring harmony.
Where there is error, and misinformation let us bring truth.
Where there is doubt that we are all your children, let us bring faith;
Where there is despair, let us bring hope;
Where there is darkness, shine your light;
and where there is sadness, help us to bring joy.
O Divine Master, grant that we may not so much
seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Love incarnate,
Fountain of Mercy and Justice
In a world of inequity and pain
May our actions be our prayer.
We cry out for Shalom, fullness of life to all.
Let the Spirit of Truth guide us.
Let the Spirit of Love free us.
Give us the compassion, courage and resolve
to become the light we seek
that many may see life and their dignity restored.
Inspire us to embody a world without injustice and prejudice
Form us into channels of your love and peace
Let the river of justice and mercy flood our imperfect world
Quenching the thirst of parched souls and lands.
Abide in us o Liberator that we become the Word
so that the world may have Life, Life in all its abundance. Amen
(Anderson Jeremiah, Taken from the book Christian Aid book Rage & Hope: 75 Prayers for a Better World’, Edited by Chine McDonal)
