I wrote this prayer for Westview's Sunday-evening prayer service on the eve of Congress' return to session to debate and vote the resolution of war against Syria.
Any other church that wishes to use it, feel free. I do not ask for author credit, but I do ask that if you modify it please do not indicate authorship.
Prayer for our country
Leader: Almighty
God, you rule all the peoples of the earth.
All: Inspire the minds of all women and men
to whom you have committed the
responsibility of government and leadership in the nations of the world. Give
to them the vision of truth and justice, that by their counsel all nations and
peoples may work together. Give to the people of our country zeal for justice
and strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with
your gracious will. Forgive our shortcomings as a nation; purify our hearts to
see and love the truth.
We
pray especially for these persons in positions of authority:
President
Barack Obama, for wisdom, resoluteness, clarity of purpose, and insightfulness
of vision.
Hear our prayer, O Lord, for our
president.
Secretary
of State John Kerry, that our relations with other nations may be honorable and
just.
Hear our prayer, O Lord, for the
secretary of state.
Secretary
of Defense Chuck Hagel, that should war come it may be fought justly and the lives
of the innocent be protected.
Hear our prayer, O Lord, for the
secretary of defense.
General
Martin Dempsey and all leaders of our military, that our service men and women may
be sent into battle prepared and soundly led.
Hear our prayer, O Lord, for the leaders
of our armed forces.
Speaker
of the House John Boehner, that the House of Representatives be led wisely and that debate be unhindered by partisan purposes.
Hear our prayer, O Lord, for Speaker
Boehner.
Senate
Majority Leader Harry Reid, that deliberations of senators be bold, for the common good of all in justice.
Hear our prayer, O Lord, for Senator
Reid.
All
members of the Congress, for sober decision of great responsibility, especially
the representative of this district, [name of your district's House member] and Senators [names of your state's senators].
Hear our prayer, O Lord, for Representative
[name] and Senators [names].
We
plead with you, O Lord, to rest your Spirit upon the nation of Syria, that the
innocent suffer not, that right be established in justice and peace. Be very
present with all affected there by the sword of war and with the refugees dispossessed
by violence. We raise up to you especially our brothers and sisters in Christ
in that war-torn land.
Hear our prayer, O Lord, for the people
of Syria. Be the fortress for your children there.
Holy
Lord, you commanded us to pray for our enemies. So we raise to you Bashar
al-Assad, who does not know your liberating grace and love. We pray God that he
and others leaders of his regime will come to acknowledge you alone as saving
Lord, placing their whole trust and confidence in your redemption through
Christ Jesus, and set aside implements of destruction, that your justice may be
better established upon the earth.
Hear our prayer, O Lord, for Bashar
al-Assad.
Hear
our prayer, O Lord, and let our cry come unto thee.
In humility we bow before you, O Lord, for
you alone are our Savior and Redeemer, our refuge and strength, a very present
help in trouble. In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
