A Prayer For Peace In Syria

[cbayer]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brian-d-mclaren/a-prayer-for-peace-in-syr_b_3880847.html

Brian D. McLarenAuthor, 'A New Kind of Christianity' and 'Naked Spirituality'

Posted: 09/06/2013 11:54 am

I'll be joining many others in praying for the situation in Syria on Saturday because I think it's time we realize that Dr. King was right: we can't cure violence with violence.

Mirroring violent behavior sets vicious cycles of offense and revenge in motion. We need a more creative response - not passivity, not inaction, but something more creative and constructive than "punishing" or "retaliating" or trying to cure violence with violence.

What might those more creative and constructive alternatives be? Maybe a day of prayer with fasting will prepare us to imagine them.

- snip-

Here's a prayer that expresses what is on my heart (feel free to use or adapt as is helpful):

"Living God, our world is broken-hearted by the atrocity of chemical weapons being used in Syria, killing children, women, and men indiscriminately. And our hearts grieve no less for the many tens of thousands killed and millions displaced by the civil war there. We pray for peace, God of peace: not just the cessation of conflict, but a new day of reconciliation, civility, and collaboration for the common good ... in the Middle East, and around the world.

more at link

[hrmjustin]

1. A Collect for Peace

A Collect for Peace

O God, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom: Defend us, thy humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in thy defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Book of Common Prayer 1979

[libodem]

2. This is uplifting

And I'm with you despite my atheist leaning. When in doubt a prayer can't hurt. And the words are beautiful and meaningful. I fully appreciate the sediment.

With you on this religion group.

[cbayer]

3. Can't hurt, particularly is it brings some kind of unified voice for peace.

Thanks so much for chiming in libodem.

[libodem]

4. Heck yeah

Oddly I care about spiritul matters in a nontraditional way. I'm praying along with you for peace. Justin's prayer is meaningful too.

[skepticscott]

5. Prayer is a "creative response"?

Fanciful, perhaps...but utterly useless, if god's history of preventing or stopping wars that people pray for him to stop is any guide. It may make some people feel useful, but it's even less effective than that busload of nuns.

[cleanhippie]

6. While that may make some feel good about themselves, what does it actually accomplish?

Can anyone answer that?