President Bush has declared today
National Sanctity of Life Day, so may we pray* for those who lives are at risk: children, soldiers, the sick and all in need.
We pray* for Children, particularly those at risk:
Tortured by hunger and thirst,
ravaged by disease and pollution;
Save all your children.
Savaged by the brutalities of war,
victimized by violence and abuse;
Save all your children.
Broken by exploitative child labor;
stunted by suffering;
Save all your children.
Thwarted by prejudice,
deprived of beauty, joy and laughter;
Protect all your children.
Uprooted by famine, war and disaster,
burdened by the debts of preceding generations;
Protect all your children.
Aged before they could be young,
denied freedom, justice and peace;
Protect all your children.
Nurtured and guided with love and understanding,
provided with food and clothing and shelter;
Care for all your children.
Enriched by a safe and clean environment,
empowered by education and opportunity,
Care for all your children.
Welcomed and honored in our midst,
brought to know and to love one another;
Care for all your children.
We pray* for soldiers and all those affected by war:
Remember, O Source of all Goodness, the peoples of the world divided into many nations and tongues. Deliver us from every evil that gets in the way of your saving purpose; and fulfill the promise of peace to your people on earth.
From the curse of war and the human sin that causes war;
Deliver us.
From pride that turns its back on goodness, and from all nihilism;
Deliver us.
From national vanity that poses as patriotism; from loud-mouthed boasting and blind shelf-worship that admit no guilt;
Deliver us.
From the self-righteousness that will not compromise, and from selfishness that gains by the oppression of others;
Deliver us.
From the lust for money or power that drives people to kill;
Deliver us.
From trusting in the weapons of war, and mistrusting the councils of peace;
Deliver us.
From hearing, believing, and speaking lies about other nations;
Deliver us.
From groundless suspicions and fears that stand in the way of reconciliation;
Deliver us.
From words and deeds that encourage discord, prejudice, and hatred; from everything that prevents the human family from fulfilling your promise of peace;
Deliver us.
We pray* for all your children on earth, of every nation and of every race; that they be strong to do your will.
We pray* for our communities.
Give peace in our time.
For the United Nations;
Give peace in our time.
For international federations of labor, industry, and commerce;
Give peace in our time.
For worldwide agencies of compassion, which bind wounds and feed the hungry;
Give peace in our time.
For all who in any way work to further the cause of peace and goodwill;
Give peace in our time.
For common folk in every land who live in peace;
Give peace in our time.
We pray* at last for all who are ill, and we ask your healing.
In your mercy,
hear our prayer.
For those who are lonely, frightened, and unhappy, we ask your help.
In your mercy,
hear our prayer.
For those who are suffering from war, and for refugees, we ask your care.
In your mercy,
hear our prayer.
For children who are handicapped, we ask your protection.
In your mercy,
hear our prayer.
For those who are in trouble because of foolish behavior,
we ask your correction and restoration.
In your mercy,
hear our prayer.
For those who are hungry or homeless or in inadequate housing,
we ask your compassion.
In your mercy,
hear our prayer.
For communities in every part of the world, we ask your compassion.
In your mercy,
hear our prayer.
For all who labor for the peace of the world
and the freedom of all peoples, we ask your guidance and strength.
In your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Caring One, you promise to hear
those who are gathered to pray in your name:
receive our prayer for all in need,
and grant your salvation to them and to us. Amen.
*meditate, hold in good and active thought