An updated prayer resource from last year seems even more fitting for today’s pandemic crisis. Especially as social distance restrictions are being politicized by right wing forces, prayers for unity, hope, justice, and peace are urgent. Here are a few that you will find in the resource, PRAYERS-For-Unity-Hope, Justice-and-Peace-.
Lord, Lord, open unto me
Open unto me, light for my darkness.
Open unto me, courage for my fear.
Open unto me, hope for my despair.
Open unto me, peace for my turmoil.
Open unto me, joy for my sorrow.
Open unto me, strength for my weakness.
Open unto me, wisdom for my confession.
Open unto me, forgiveness for my sins.
Open unto me, love for my hates.
Open unto me, thy Self for my self.
Lord, Lord, open unto me! Amen.
Howard Thurman, Baptist pastor and theologian
End and Beginning
© Jan Richardson. janrichardson.com
A Prayer from the Philippines
Holy One, keep comfort near
and discouragement far.
(Breathe in)
Divine Light, keep peace
within and turmoil out.
(Breathe Out)
Rock of Refuge,
keep protection near
and danger far.
(Breathe In)
Breath of Life,
keep hope within
and keep despair without.
(Breathe Out)
Mighty Defender,
keep light near
and darkness far.
(Breathe In)
Ancient of Days,
keep peace within
and anxiety without.
(Breathe Out)
The compassion of God
be upon us,
THE COMPASSION OF THE GOD OF LIFE
The compassion of Christ
be upon us,
THE COMPASSION OF THE CHRIST OF LOVE
The compassion of Spirit
be upon us,
THE COMPASSION OF THE SPIRIT OF PEACE
The compassion of God be upon us.
THE COMPASSING OF GOD PROTECT AND PRESERVE US
shared by Dr. Rafael Vallejo
#MayAwaAngDios
A Prayer for Deliverance (early Church, Catholic)
We beg you, Lord, to help and defend us.
Deliver the oppressed,
have compassion on the despised,
raise the fallen,
reveal yourself to the needy,
heal the sick,
bring back those who have strayed from you,
feed the hungry,
lift up the weak,
remove the prisoners’ chains.
May every nation come to know that you are God alone,
that Jesus is your Son,
that we are your people, the sheep of your pasture.
Clement, Third Bishop of Rome
Hasidic Prayer for Peace (Judaism)
Lord of Peace, Divine Ruler, to whom peace belongs.
Master of Peace, Creator of all things.
May it be thy will to put an end to war and bloodshed on earth, and to spread a great and wonderful peace over the whole world, so that nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.
Help us and save us all, and let us cling tightly to the virtue of peace. Let there be a truly great peace between every person and their fellow, and between husband and wife, and let there be no discord between people even in their hearts.
Let us never shame any person on earth, great or small. May it be granted unto us to fulfill Thy Commandment to ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself,’ with all our hearts and souls and bodies and possessions.
God who is peace, bless us with peace.
Rabbi Nachman ben Feiga of Breslov, 1773-1810