What kind of news do we often see on TV and online? How often do you encounter an article on the web or in your newspaper about war, a rebellion, a human rights violation, or a crime somewhere in the world? Some of these events might even come from near where you live.
These days, it’s more common for us to hear about violence than kind, inspiring acts. Acts of goodness have sometimes become so much of a rarity to the point that reading about a young man feeding the hungry children is like reading about someone who won the grand lottery: it’s a once-in-a-blue-moon event. We’ve gotten so used to hearing about crimes and wars every day that just having an article about a young woman helping an elderly cross the street seems to improve our day immediately. Although it’s wonderful that we get to hear about these kind deeds, it’s saddening how violence has become so prevalent in the world that we’re used to hearing about it every single day.
While we sleep comfortably and eat whenever and however much we want, there are people in the world who can barely find any food and water because of the wars that have crumbled their economies. There are people out there who can’t sleep for fear of a bomb falling over their heads. Among the people you encounter on your way to school or work, one of them may have narrowly escaped slavery, murder, or abuse.
By communicating with God through prayer for humanity for global healing, we can pray for the safety and well-being of all who suffer from violence.
Prayer to end violence and hatred
Our Great and Merciful God,
You are our great Overseer and loving Shepherd. Your boundless love for us, Your children, keeps us safe and secure. You have provided for my needs in times when I have had nothing and loved me the same at my worst and my best.
I am aware of my sins, which I have committed so many times, but I am ready to repent. I want to be the best version I can be, and I can’t do it without you. Lord, wash away the sin and temptation from my mind and body. I am sorry for all the times when I didn’t thank you for the little things in life that I often take for granted: a soft bed, a roof over my head, abundant food, and safety.
Lord, I ask for You to bless me with safety and peace of mind. My life may not be full of rainbows, but I am glad that no storm lasts too long and no problem has gone too long without a solution. I am thankful that I get to wake up to the sound of cars and birds, not gunshots and tears. I am grateful because I can live knowing that my loved ones are safe and just a call away. I am grateful that I am able to get out of my home without worrying that it may be the last time I do so. I am thankful for a million other things in life.
I call out to You with this prayer against war for world peace. I beg You to banish all the evil that resides in the hearts of men. Remove the devil’s poison and teach us to love one another as You have tenderly loved us. End all wars and unite the nations of the world. I beg You, no more bloodshed, no more abuse, no more violated rights. Fill us with Your Holiness and teach us to choose peace. Banish all the greed, anger, violence, and evil in this once wonderful world that You carefully created. Bring justice and order back into the world, and fill our hearts with love and respect. Instead of fighting over our differences, help us appreciate one another’s uniqueness.
Let peace and prosperity reign supreme, O Lord.
In Jesus’ Name, I pray,
Amen.
Short prayer for peace in the world
Lord God, I feel Your love for me, and I put my life in Your hands. I also kneel before You, pleading that You will protect and safely deliver abuse, war, and crime victims from the hands of evil and into Your loving embrace. In times of hardship, do not let them stray from You, O Lord, but instead, assure them of Your presence in their lives and that the bloodshed will end. Gently remind them that You are greater than any evil and stronger than any force.
These I ask in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
The Word of God
I have said this to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution, but take courage: I have conquered the world!”
John 16:33 NRSVUE
Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Be restored; listen to my appeal; agree with one another; live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
2 Corinthians 13:11 NRSVUE
The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
Isaiah 32:17 NRSVUE
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
John 14:27 NRSVUE
Intercessory prayer to Saint Francis of Assisi
Saint Francis, many troubled souls have knocked on your door, hoping to bring their pleas for peace and comfort to the Lord. Many of them have battle scars, their tired eyes becoming windows to the horrible violence they endured. Many of them left behind everything they have known and loved just to flee to safety. They are mothers, fathers, and children, all innocent and powerless against the tide of war and the aftermath it brings: famine, poverty, homelessness, and even death. Many of them have not laughed or slept in a while due to worry and nightmares.
Saint Francis, I beg you to help me pray for all these innocent people. I do not know them personally, but they are my brothers and sisters, and we are all equal in God’s eyes. We are all His children, so I humbly ask for your help in delivering this prayer for unity to the Lord, so that He may unite all nations and put an end to violence by filling us with love and charity.
Saint Francis, please join me in this prayer for global healing. Pray for us.
Amen.
Further reflection
A military coup here, concentration camps there, and some seemingly endless wars around the world. How often do we hear of bombing incidents, gun violence, assassinations, and manipulative schemes born from greed and corruption in the media? Is there any hope that all these conflicts will be settled?
We are now living in a world that is divided by differences in race, religion, political beliefs, culture, ideologies, and more. Instead of accepting these differences and appreciating how they bring diversity to the world and uniqueness to ourselves, many choose to use these differences as an excuse to violate human rights and destroy peace and order.
Alone, we are powerless to stop these wars and conflicts. We cannot convince every general to cease fire and every world leader to put goodness and peace above their own personal agendas. We cannot even convince the people around us to advocate for world peace.
But God can.
How can He not, when He has moved mountains and calmed storms in days old? Time may have weathered the historical places that we read about in the Bible, but His love for us is stronger than ever. He alone can stop wars and violence and bring world peace.
Dedicating even just a portion of our daily prayers for world peace will greatly help the world heal. With our sincere pleas, we may be saving a hundred people on the other side of the world. We may be the reason why someone has a sudden change of heart and put down the gun. All because we chose to become the Lord’s instrument to bring peace and order back into the world.
