Thu 02 Oct 2025

A Prayer for an end to violence

Creator God, in Jesus you embrace all of our human condition. In him, you weep with us, lament with us and strive with us for a world of righteousness and justice. We grieve with communities, families and individuals in the beautiful city of London who are afflicted by violence, who mourn for those lost to its effects, and who yearn and cry out for a better future. Send your Holy Spirit afresh upon us we pray – make us channels of peace; renew in us Christ’s work of reconciliation; give us the wisdom to know what makes for healing, and to give our lives for it in his name. Inspire us to plant and to nurture your seeds of hope, that your grace might flow in abundance and all your children know the freedom which is your promise and your gift in Christ. Amen.

Jongikaya Zihle, former Chair, and Jonathan Dean, Chair, London District

Prayer following the Manchester Synagogue attack on 2 October

Holy God, who breaks down the walls of division,

we cry out to you in solidarity with our Jewish sisters and brothers following the abhorrent attack upon life and community in Greater Manchester.

We pray that those who have died may rest in your eternal peace and that you would comfort those who mourn.

We pray for those in our communities who are afraid to walk the streets because of their faith and traditions.

On this day held especially holy to the Jewish community, we pray that you would guide our path and lead us through the wilderness.

Where there is enmity, we pray for peace; where there is division, healing; and where there is hatred, a mending of broken bonds.

Holy God, bring reconciliation to our nation that all might live justly and peacefully in the land.

Amen.

The President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference

Prayer of thanks for God's gifts - Alternative Prayer

Blessed be God, for the glory of a grace never ending, for the gift of a love never changing, for the depth of a peace never failing.

Isabella Wilson, Methodist class leader (1765-1807)