A Prayer for Today

God of Peace,
We hold the people of Iran in this time of deep distress.
Where there is fear - grant Your peace.
Where there is violence - bring Your protection.
Where hearts are hurting - pour out Your comfort.

Loving God, we pray especially for those mourning the loss of loved ones,
for those who are injured, imprisoned, or afraid,
and for those seeking justice, freedom, and dignity.
Surround them with Your love.

We pray for leaders and those in authority -
grant wisdom, restraint, and compassion.
Turn the hearts of those with power toward healing,
not harm; toward reconciliation and peace

In our prayers, we remember our sisters and brothers
who worship with us in our churches here in Britain
We thank you, God, for the blessing they bring to our church communities.
God of mercy, we ask for Your Spirit to move in Iran -
to bring peace, hope, and a future of justice.
May Your love be known by every person affected by these events.

Amen.

We pray for people around the world

Oh Bethlehem, house of bread,
under your skies the angels sang their song and in your humble surroundings the Creator’s life on earth began.

Oh Bethlehem’s child, Prince of Peace,
fill the world, we pray, with a hunger for justice that deep and lasting peace may come to the land of your birth.

Oh Jerusalem, city of God,
Outside these walls your divine hands were pierced, eternity held its breath as you were laid to rest in a borrowed tomb.

Oh Jerusalem, witness to your Resurrection,
we pray that new life may triumph over destruction, fear, violence, oppression and death, and radiate from these streets to the whole world.

In the name of the incarnate, crucified and risen God, Amen.

Each day and each night, may the wisdom of the Wonderful Counsellor guide us, the strength of the Mighty God defend us, the love of the Everlasting Father enfold us and the blessing of the Prince of Peace rest upon us. Amen.