A Prayer for Tuesday, August 2, 2016

War

O God,

Of the 162 nations in the world, 152 are currently at war or involved in armed conflict. Only ten nations are completely free of conflict.

It seems that we have fulfilled Mr. Orwell’s prophecy of perpetual war. It’s 1984 in 2016.

Lord, forgive us. 

Forgive us for the harm we do to each other. 

Forgive us for the pride and greed that lead us into conflict. 

Forgive us for accepting war as a reasonable way to resolve our differences.

Thank you for those who try to settle disputes through diplomacy.

Thank you for those who try to lessen suffering in war-torn places.

Help us take seriously the history that has brought us to this point.

Help us find better ways to work things out than killing each other.

Help those of us who follow the Prince of Peace to think, talk, and act in ways that make for peace.

Amen.