war

People within our congregation, and across our country are deeply divided about the war in Iraq. I have tried to reflect on where our common ground might be, as Christians. We pray for the young men and women of our nation who are making tremendous sacrifices. We honor their sacrifices. We pray for the people of Iraq, who have endured great suffering prior to the war, and who experience devastation now, many of them as refugees. We pray for the Christian church in Iraq.We pray for the peacemakers of the world (Matthew 5.9). They are the children of God. We pray for victims of terrorism and torture. We pray for those who inflict terror and for those who approve and administer torture. We humbly acknowledge that God will bring judgment upon every nation. We pray for those with military expertise, who know the traditions of just war. We pray for the conversion of those who see this as a holy war or crusade. We ask that God would intervene in ways that we cannot imagine. We pray for families separated at Christmas because of the service of their loved ones. We pray for those who mourn this Christmas (Matthew 5. 4). They will be comforted. We pray that God's will might be done on earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6. 10).

We pray for peace.

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His name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor

Mighty God

Everlasting Father

Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9. 6