Prayers of the People/Intercession on Conflict
May we be no one’s enemy, and may we be the friend of all that is eternal and abides with Christ.
May we never quarrel with those nearest us; and if we do, may we be reconciled quickly.
May we love, seek, and attain only that which is good.
May we wish for everyone’s happiness and envy none.
May we never celebrate the misfortune of one who has wronged us.
May we win no victory that harms either us or our opponents.
May we help reconcile friends who are angry with one another. May we,to the best of our abilities, provide help to our friends and all who are in want.
May we never fail a friend who is in danger.
May we respect ourselves. Amen.
Eusebius of Caesarea, Adapted
O God, who through your Son has taught us that a house divided against itself must fall: Save us, we beg you, from the danger of a divided allegiance; unite our hearts to fear your name; and grant that in all our course of life our eye may be single and our purpose one; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
Henry Alford, Language Adapted for Modern Worship by Stuart Strachan Jr.
Father–nothing escapes your notice, is beyond your care or too hard for you to take on, whether it concerns nations or individuals. You have a heart for all the world–not just our little piece of it. So we pray for your world: may your truth and justice, righteousness and compassion guide elections not only in our own country–but also in other parts of the world.
In places convulsed by conflict–bring a just and lasting peace. We pray for those who serve you as cross-cultural missionaries. Keep them faithful to your truth and your ways; enable them to effectively share the Good News of your Son Jesus. For all Christian churches, and for this church, we pray you will lead us.
And where you guide, provide resources to do your will and witness well to the new life you give in Jesus. Give our leaders a kingdom vision, godly wisdom, and risk-taking faith to lead where you call us to go. We ask you to comfort the grieving–whether the loss is recent or long ago. Console them with the assurance of eternal life and the hope of the resurrection.
In addition, we place in your strong hands, your compassionate hands, your healing hands, those who are sick or injured, recuperating from or anticipating surgery, and those in treatment or therapy–heal them, Lord. Heal bodies in pain, and minds that are disturbed. Free the addicted and restore the depressed. Heal broken emotions and broken bones. And especially, heal our loved ones. And, Lord, strengthen and encourage their caregivers. Thy will be done! This is our prayer, offered in the strong name of Jesus. AMEN
Prayer for Times of Conflict
O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church (1979)