A Prayer for Peace in Iraq
Lord of hope and compassion, Friend of Abraham
Who called our father in faith to journey to a new future,
We remember before you the country of Iraq from which he was summoned
Ancient land of the Middle East, realm of the two rivers,
Birthplace of great cities and of civilization. May we who name ourselves children of Abraham, Call to mind all
the peoples of the Middle East who honour him as father.
Those who guard and celebrate the Torah, Those for whom the Word has walked on earth and lived among us.
Those who follow their prophet, who listened for the word in the desert. And shaped a community after what he heard.
Lord of reconciliation, God of the painful sacrifice
uniting humankind
We long for the day when you will provide for all nations of the earth your blessing of peace. But now
when strife and war are at hand, help us to see in each other a family likeness,
our inheritance from our one father Abraham.
Keep hatred from the threshold of our hearts, and preserve within us a generous spirit which recognizes in both foe and friend a common humanity.
This we ask in the name of the one who came to offer us the costly gift of abundant life.
(In Arabic Abraham is often called "El Khalil" which means 'the Friend [of God]'. Ur and Haran, the cities from which, according to Genesis, Abraham was summoned by God both lie within the territory of modern Iraq.)
(Alan and Clare Amos)
Iona Community – http://www.iona.org.uk/
6 comments:
We used to ask,
If they have nothing to hide, why do they hide everything?
The accounts like Pat Tillman and LaVena Johnson stories mean that this question is no longer just a rhetorical one.
A beautiful prayer.
daddyBstrong,
Thank you for shedding light in the dark.
i hope the gods listen i really do
Thank you, Mac Daddy, for that powerful prayers....When will we begin to measure time with PEACE?
Your thoughtul commentary is both respectful and insightful THANK YOU!
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