Prayer: Our Small Difference

Here’s a thoughtful prayer from John van de Laar.

Our Small Difference

We may not be able to confront queens,

or challenge presidents;

We may not have the capacity to divert resources,

or uplift communities;

We may not have the voice to silence the noise of war,

or the words to negotiate peace between armies;

But, as we follow you, O Christ, we are able to do something.

And so, we pray that you would inspire us

to commit to and act on

the small difference we can make:

May we bring peace

through small acts of gentleness

and reconciliation;

May we bring wealth

through small contributions

and collaborations;

May we bring safety

through small acts of consideration

and acceptance;

May we bring wholeness

through small acts of care

and service.

And in the small ways, O God,

may our small difference make a big contribution

to your saving work in our world.

Amen.

~ written by John van de Laar.  Posted on his excellent Sacredise.com website.

Call to Worship: Come to Me!

Here’s a call to worship on the On Earth Peace website.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Matthew 4:19, Mark 1:16-20, Luke 5:1-11)

The invitation is given to every person by Jesus Christ:

"Come to me! Follow me! Be my disciples!"

We come to this place, to this time,

at the invitation of Jesus Christ.

In the name of Christ,

we accept the invitation to discipleship.

In the name of Christ,

as his disciples, we worship and praise God.

In the midst of a world where cruelty abounds,

we proclaim the God of Compassion.

In the midst of despair that threatens to swallow up

whole lives, whole peoples,

we proclaim the God of Hope.

In the midst of indifference and apathy,

we proclaim the God of Love.

Come, let us worship together

and share our witness of God's living presence in the world.

~ from the On Earth Peace website.  http://www.onearthpeace.org/

Call to Worship: November 11

Here is a thoughtful call to worship for November 11 (Remembrance Day, Veterans Day, Armistice Day, Poppy Day). It was written by Roddy Hamilton and posted on the New Kilpatrick Parish Church website (see link below).

Call to Worship: Can you hear it?

Can you hear it…

...it is the silence

that holds all our stories

the hurt for which there are no words

the pain that cannot be expressed

from war

...it is the silence

that shares the ache of the past

and knows the deep cost of conflict

that always costs too much

yet there always seems more to give

...it is the silence of a God

who has no words left

for a love that has nothing left to give

yet will give even that

may we gather

in the clutch

of such a silence

for it is in this silence

and no other

we hold together

the perplexing truth of poppy fields

and our honest turmoil of emotion

Here we gather in remembrance

~ written by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on the New Kilpatrick Parish Church website. https://www.nkchurch.org.uk/original-liturgy 

November 11: A More Human Silence

Here’s a reflection about silence from Roddy Hamilton’s Mucky Paws. It was written for November 11 (known variously as Remembrance Day, Veterans Day, Armistice Day, or Poppy Day around the world).

A More Human Silence

The deepest moments

that make us more fully human

that recognize the worth of life

and the value of what people do

are not found in victory parades

or in great speeches by world leaders

in the noise of conflict

or the seeking of power

The deepest moments

that make us more fully human

are the moments we find

filled with silence

for only in silence does remembrance live

not to recall memories

not to learn lessons

not to thank God for victories

or grieve with God amid the wastage

but where we become part of a moment

that recognizes

there is no word

no action

no intent

more human

than to halt everything

and do nothing

but wonder

in silence

~ written by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on Mucky Paws. http://www.nkchurch.org.uk/index.php/mucky-paws

Benediction: Jeremiah 29

Here’s a unison benediction inspired by Jeremiah 29. It was written by Tim Graves and posted on LiturgyBits.

Benediction

(inspired by Jeremiah 29)

We leave now to live our lives.

We will grow old,

we will raise families,

we will love neighbor and family.

We will get on with living our lives,

mindful of the dreams God has for humanity.

Whether we are in Jerusalem or Babylon,

we will trust that God’s peace will come.  

~ written by Tim Graves, and posted on his blog LiturgyBits: Little bits for worship. https://liturgybits.wordpress.com/

Celtic Prayer for Peace

Peace between neighbors,
Peace between kindred,
Peace between lovers,
In love of the King of life.

Peace between person and person,
Peace between wife and husband,
Peace between woman and children,
The Peace of Christ above all peace. 

~ Originally from the Carmina Gadelica III, 267. Posted on Journey with Jesus. http://www.journeywithjesus.net/

Remembrance Day Hymn

Here’s a new hymn for Remembrance Sunday from Louis Kinsey – a plea and a prayer for an end to war and violence.

He writes: “This hymn was written out of a personal longing for the return of Christ and the advent of his fulfilled and completed kingdom, when young men and women won’t ever have to go to war again. The texts that inform the verses (indicated below) lead from the Old Testament prophetic hope of Isaiah on to the fulfilment of that hope in Jesus Christ, the Lord, who is himself wounded (v.4) as the means by which peace is finally accomplished. The final verse, in this time before Christ’s return and a new heaven and earth are established, is a prayer that the peace of Christ will fill our hearts, in the face of much that could overwhelm us with anxiety, and for boldness when so much of the world’s suffering threatens to quench faith.

It is written to be sung to the tune of REPTON, which is the tune associated with the hymn ‘Dear Lord and Father of mankind’, and its thoughtful nature accompanies the verses appropriately. Other tunes of a similar metre (86 88 66) may suit the words equally well.”

New Hymn for Remembrance Day

Come soon, the day, when peace shall reign
And nations fight no more
When spears are turned to pruning hooks
And love displaces hateful looks
When none shall train for war
When none shall train for war (Isaiah 2:4 NIV)

Come soon, the day, when Christ the King
Will rule in all the earth
When nations live beneath his law
To glory in their strength no more
And dwell in love and peace
And dwell in love and peace (Micah 4:3 NIV)

Come soon, the day when love is crowned
And sin at last cast down
When faithful hearts can rest in peace
And battles of the soul will cease
When Christ at last appears
When Christ at last appears (1 Peter 2:11 NIV)

Come soon, the triumph of the Lamb
Who bears the wounds of love
The Lord of lords and King of kings
He comes, and in his victory brings
All those who love his name
All those who love his name (Revelation 17:14 NIV)

Come soon, eternal day of peace
May hate and war be gone
Let justice flow and love abound
When men and women gather round
The Lamb upon the throne
The Lamb upon the throne (Ecclesiastes 3:8 NIV)

Come, peace of Christ to fill our hearts
And make our spirits bold
A peace, not as this dark world gives,
The peace of Christ, for Jesus lives
And fills our hearts with love
And fills our hearts with love. (John 14:27 NIV)

~ written by Louis Kinsey © Jocky Music 2013. Louis Kinsey is a parish minister in Aberdeen and an Army Reserve chaplain with 205 (Scottish) Field Hospital. He has served as a chaplain in Iraq and in Afghanistan. Posted on the Church of Scotland’s Resourcing Mission website. https://www.resourcingmission.org.uk/sites/default/files/Come_soon_the_day.pdf

Call to Worship: Turning a Cheek

Here’s a call to worship which explores true strength.  It is inspired by 1 Samuel 17:1-58 and Matthew 5:38-42 (Luke 6:28-31).  It was written by Katherine Hawker.

Turning a Cheek

(inspired by 1 Samuel 17:1-58, Matthew 5:38-42)

Strength is commanding

the wind and sea to obey,

Strength is wielding

a slingshot in the face of a raging giant.

Strength is accepting vulnerability

from inside the boat,

Strength is standing in solidarity

with the powerless.

Strength is turning a cheek,

Strength is loving an enemy.

We come to worship

a God who redefines our vision of strength.

~ written by Katherine Hawker, 1997, and posted on Liturgies Outside.  http://liturgyoutside.net/  

Statement of Faith: Silence is Not Enough

Here’s a responsive statement of faith for Remembrance Day. It was written by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on the New Kilpatrick Parish Church website.

Statement of Faith:

Silence is Not Enough

In our remembrance we know
silence is not enough
to change the world

I have come that you may have life and life to the full

In our remembrance we know
silence is not enough
to bring peace to the world

Behold I make all things new

In our remembrance we know
silence is not enough
to change the minds of leaders

Your light must shine before people

In our remembrance we know
silence is not enough
to change the way we do things

This is what I command you: love one another

In our remembrance we know
silence is not enough
to convey the truth of war

Every tree is known by the fruit is bears.

The mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

In our remembrance we know
silence is not enough
but your words are

Come and follow me 

~ written by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on the New Kilpatrick Parish Church website. https://www.nkchurch.org.uk/original-liturgy 

Litany of Confession: A New Way

Here’s a confession suitable for Peace Sunday, Memorial Day, or Remembrance Day.  It was posted on the Main Street Congregational Church website.

Confession:  A New Way

Remember, O God, the people of this world,

divided into many nations, religions and tongues.

Deliver us from every evil

that stands in the way of your saving purpose

and fulfill  the promise of peace on earth

among those with whom you are well  pleased.

Help us find a new way, God,

to turn from the curse of  war

and the human sin that causes war;

a way from pride that turns its back on you;

from unbelief that will not bow to you,

away from self-righteousness that will not compromise,

from selfishness that glories in the oppression of others,

from the lust for property or power that drives humanity to kill,

from trusting in the weapons of war

and mistrusting the councils of peace,

from hearing, believing and speaking lies

about other nations and religions,

from ground-less suspicions and fears

that stand in the way of reconciliation,

from words and deeds that encourage discord, prejudice and hatred;

from everything that prevents the human family

from fulfilling your promise of peace.

And now, O God,

hear our private confessions we lift up to you now in silence....  

~ posted on the Main Street Congregational Church website. http://www.main-street-church.org/files/45997849.pdf

Prayer of Thanksgiving: Remembrance Day

Here’s a prayer of thanksgiving for Remembrance Day (November 11). It was written by Rev. Marjory Macaskill, Chaplain University of Strathclyde, and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website.

Remembrance Day

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Where swords are turned to ploughshares

and spears to pruning hooks

where the guns fall silent

and the rumours of war cease

We see the love of God

written on the hearts of men and women

And offer our thanksgiving to God

Where man says’ I am my brother’s keeper’

and the guardian of his days

Where mothers’ sons grow old

in lands free from strife

We see the love of God

written on the hearts of men and women

And offer our thanksgiving to God

Where enemies destroy the barriers that divide

and no man’s land becomes home to each and all

Where colour, creed and nation

unite not stand apart

We see the love of God

written on the hearts of men and women

And offer our thanksgiving to God.

Where silent remembering inspires songs of freedom, justice, truth

and the sacrifice of old shapes the passion for our future

Where those who gave their lives and youth

let us age in years and wisdom

We see the love of God

written on the hearts of men and women

And offer our thanksgiving to God.

Where courage never fades in the battle for the right

and power is given to the weak, the least, the last

Where compassion finds a home

to root out fear, mistrust or pride

We see the love of God

written on the hearts of men and women

And offer our thanksgiving to God.

For the love of Father, Son and Spirit

is the source of human love

the fire of God within us

shedding light upon our path

write this love upon our hearts God

as we offer you our thanks

through Jesus Christ our saviour

who offers life to us.  Amen  

~ written by Rev Marjory Macaskill, Chaplain University of Strathclyde, and posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website. http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/8349/13Nov2011.pdf

Intercessions: Remembering the cost of war

Here’s a prayer of intercession for Memorial or Remembrance Day from the Third Space blog.

Prayer of Remembrance

We remember with thanksgiving and sorrow

those whose lives,

in world wars and conflicts past and present,

have been taken away.

For the people who love them in death as in life.

For all members of the armed forces

who are in danger this day,

remembering family, friends

and all who pray for their safe return.

We pray for the wounded and the disturbed,

the grieving and the homeless,

and for all who suffer due to war and conflict.

For women, and children and men

whose lives are disfigured by war and violence.

For peace-makers and peace-keepers, who

seek to keep this world secure and safe.

For those known to us who need Jesus now………..

God of truth and justice

hear our prayers for all who strive for peace,

and all who yearn for justice.

Help us, who today remember the cost of war,

to work for a better tomorrow;

and as we honour the past,

may we put our faith in your future.  Amen. 

~ posted on the Third Space website. http://third-space.org.uk/blog

Intercessions for Remembrance Day

Here’s a litany of intercession for Remembrance Day from the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board website.

Remembrance Day Litany

The response to our petitions is, Jesus, Prince of Peace, hear our prayer.
For all who have served the cause of peace in our armed forces, we pray…
For all who have lost loved ones due to war, we pray…
For all who continue to suffer due to war, we pray…
For all who long for Your peace, we pray…
For all who dedicate their lives to Your peace, we pray…
For all who bring Your comfort to veterans and their families, we pray…
For all of us – called to be messengers of Your peace, we pray…

The response to our petitions is, Jesus, Hope of Humanity, hear our prayer.
For all who live in despair, we pray…
For all who seek healing of body, spirit and soul, we pray…
For all who live with great losses due to war, we pray…
For all who trust in Your promises, we pray…
For all who cling to Your words, we pray…
For all who minister to veterans and survivors with Your Gospel, we pray…
For all of us – called to be messengers of Your hope, we pray…

The response to our petitions is, Jesus, Restorer of Life, hear our prayer.
For all whose faith has been wounded by war and violence, we pray…
For all whose sense of purpose has suffered due to war and violence, we pray…
For all whose sense of self has been broken by war and violence, we pray…
For all whose journey remains incomplete without You, we pray…
For all who seek completeness in You, we pray…
For all who lead veterans and their communities to fullness of life in You, we pray…
For all of us – called to be messengers of Your Gospel of Life, we pray…

The response to our petitions is, Jesus, Healer of All, hear our prayer.
For all whose bodies bear the marks of war, we pray…
For all whose spirits bear the scars of war, we pray…
For all whose wounds are bound up in the prison of addictions, we pray…
For all who have not yet experienced Your healing love, we pray…
For all who rely on Your healing presence in their lives, we pray…
For all who bring Your healing to veterans and their families, we pray…
For all of us – called to be messengers of Your healing love, we pray…

The response to our petitions is, All praise to You, Jesus, Lord and Redeemer.
For Your Gospel of comfort and peace…
For Your victory over death and promise of everlasting life…
For Your presence with us always, to the end of the age…
For Your gift of the Spirit, Who makes us whole…
For Your gift of peace, poured into our hearts at Baptism…
For Your messengers who bring us Your Good News of love and peace…
For Your call to help spread the Good News with our lives…

Let us take a moment to remember all whose needs remain in our hearts this day.  Let us join our prayers for them to the constant prayer of Jesus on our behalf, using the words He gave us:  Our Father… 

~ posted on the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board website.

http://rccdsb.edu.on.ca/religiouseducation/school-prayer-2/monthlyseasonal-prayer/

Another Way: A Prayer of Dedication

Here’s a prayer written by John van de Laar, suitable for use in any service that explores the call of Jesus to live lives of humility and service. 

Another Way

Teach us the courage, O God,

to turn from what seems so natural, so safe:

the way of grasping power,

and befriending the powerful,

in the hope of protection and security.

Teach us the humility, O God,

to turn from what is so enticing, so persuasive:

the way of accumulating things,

and trusting in wealth,

in the hope of comfort and life

Lead us, O God, in another way,

the way of true security, true wealth,

the way of Christ, the servant,

the way of weakness and simplicity.

Lead us, O God, in another way,

the way of caring for the neglected,

feeding the hungry,

housing the homeless,

protecting the threatened,

and challenging the powerful,

the foolish way of the Gospel,

that brings salvation to all. Amen.

~ Written by John van de Laar, and posted on his excellent website, Sacredise.com.  Visit his site for other good lectionary-based prayers and worship resources.

Sending Words

Here’s a closing prayer from Tim Watson. It was posted on Lighting Beacons.

Closing Prayer of Commitment

Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Send us out to live lives that glorify you

Help us to be people of peace

Empower us to recognize your call

In our families

In our communities

In our work places and schools

In our churches and in our world. Amen.

~ written by Tim Watson, in “Sunday Morning Prayer,” posted on Lighting Beacons. http://lighting-beacons-liturgy.com/

Prayer: God of the Impossible

God of the impossible,
We pray for justice, peace and reconciliation;
When the challenges seem too many,
Remind us of your resurrection power;
When the task seems overwhelming,
Remind us of the miracle of love;
And when apathy threatens us,
Remind us of your vision of a world made whole.
Help us to hope that the impossible can happen
And live as if it might do so today. Amen.

~ from Creation Sings Your Praise, edited by Annabel Shilson-Thomas, Canterbury Press, 2010. Posted on the Monthly Prayers page of the Christian Aid website. http://www.christianaid.org.uk/

Prayer Litany: I Have a Dream

Here’s a responsive prayer litany inspired by Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. It was written by Christine Sine and posted on Godspace.

Prayer Litany

May we dream of a world made new,

Where together we shout for justice,

And as one we fight against oppression.

May we dream of a world made new,

Where together we seek God’s righteousness

And as one we sing God’s praise.

May we dream of a world made new,

Where together we climb God’s mountain,

And as one we enter the promised land.

May we dream of a world made new,

Where together we proclaim the good news of God’s kingdom,

And as one we enjoy its peace, and abundance and love.

~ from Christine Sine’s Godspace website. http://godspace.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/i-have-a-dream-a-prophetic-speech-now-50-years-old/

Blessing

May the blessing of the God of peace and justice

be with us;

May the blessing of the Son

who weeps the tears of the world’s suffering

be with us;

And may the blessing of the Spirit

who inspires us to reconciliation and hope

be with us

from now into eternity.

Amen.

~ Posted on the World Council of Churches website.  http://www.oikoumene.org/en/home.html

Prayer for Peace

On this “Peace Sunday” we acknowledge you

as the source of all peace.

Thank you that through the cross

we have peace with you

and can be reconciled to each other.

We give thanks for the political peace which we enjoy [in Canada]

and pray for the many places where there is none.

We remember especially Iraq and Syria

and other parts of the Middle East.

Have mercy on their suffering

and grant wisdom, courage and renewed strength

to those who are trying to end the bloodshed.

Help all of us who call ourselves Christians

to contribute to establishing a peace

that is built on your idea of justice.

As we ponder recent events in the United States,

keep reminding us gently

that your kingdom cannot be established

through the power of the state.

Let not ignorance, fear or hate

cause us to wander from your way of service. Amen.  

~ written by Clara Toews, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Inspired by a prayer by Lisa Sharon Harper. 

Prayer for Transformation

Here’s a prayer for transformation – of our lives and of our world. It comes from John Birch’s Faith and Worship website.

Prayer for Transformation

“When Jesus heard this, he was amazed.

Turning to the crowd that was following him, he said,

‘I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!’” Luke 7:9

If we had a fraction of the faith in you that you have in us
then this world would be transformed, Lord.

If we showed a fraction of the love that you show to us
then this world would be transformed, Lord

If we possessed a fraction of the patience that you display with us
then this world would be transformed, Lord.

If we shared just a portion of the blessings that we have received from you
then this world would be transformed, Lord.

If we showed as much trust in others as you have shown in us
then this world would be transformed, Lord.

If we claimed just a fraction of the power you promised to your Church
then this world would be transformed, Lord.

Transform us first, Lord, that we might transform this world
through your love and your power.

~ Copyright © John Birch, posted on Faith and Worship - Prayers and Resources http://www.faithandworship.com/