A Prayer Service in Response to Violence in France

Prepared by Jennifer Phillips

Presider:   In the Name of our God Creator, Redeemer,

    and Sanctifier;

People:     Blessed are you, God of love and peace.

A Litany for Peace:

V. God, the Father,

R. Have mercy upon us.

V. Christ, the Prince of Peace

R. Have mercy upon us.

V. Holy Spirit who enlightens the nations,

R. Have mercy upon us.

V. Eternal God of Love,

R. Receive our prayer.

V. Remember, O Lord, the peoples of the world divided into many nations and tongues; deliver us from every evil which obstructs your saving purpose; and fulfill your promises to establish your kingdom of peace. From the curse of war and hatred, and all that cause them,

R. O Lord, deliver us.

V. From believing and speaking lies about other peoples and nations,

R. O Lord, deliver us.

V. From narrow loyalties and selfish isolation,

R. O Lord, deliver us.

V. From fear and distrust of other people and nations, from all false pride, vainglory, and self-conceit.,

R. O Lord, deliver us.

V. From the lust for wealth and domination which can drive peaceful  nations to slaughter,

R. O Lord, deliver us.

V. From putting our trust in the weapons of war, and from want of faith in the power of justice and goodwill.

R. O Lord, deliver us.

V. From every thought, word, and deed which divides the human family and separates us from the perfect realization of your love.

R. O Lord, deliver us.

  

V. That nations may vie with each other in the service of  humanity and not in seeking dominion.

R. We pray to you, O God.

V. That followers of every religion may practice love, forbearance and peace toward one another.

R. We pray to you, O God.

V. That science may the servant of life and never the servant of death,

R. We pray to you, O God.

V. That the treasure now spent on the engines of war may be used for the arts of peace.

R. We pray to you, O God.

V. That your people may rejoice to endure labor, and want, and death to win, not a war, but your kingdom,

R. We pray to you, O God.

V. That we may love not only our country but also the whole family of nations,

R. We pray to you, O God.

Eternal Father, you show your people the way in which they should: turn our feet from the city of destruction toward the city of God, and redirect our desires and labors in accordance with your will, that we may achieve the new world for which your Son was content to die, even Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew (14:22-33)

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying,

“Truly you are the Son of God.”

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

Thanks be to God.

O Christ, at your word the wind and waves were stilled: rebuke, we pray, all forms of violence and usher in the day of love and peace among all of God's children, that we may truly serve you who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and works for us unceasingly, now and for ever.  Amen.

"Sois notre lumière dans les ténèbres, Seigneur, et dans ta miséricorde infinie, protège-nous des dangers de la nuit qui vient. Par Jésus le Christ, notre Seigneur. Amen." "Dieu le Père, créateur du ciel et de la terre, Aie pitié de nous. Dieu le Fils, rédempteur du monde, Aie pitié de nous. Dieu le Saint-Esprit, sanctificateur des croyants, Aie pitié de nous. Sainte et bienheureuse Trinité, un seul Dieu, Aie pitié de nous. Seigneur Jésus, ne retiens pas nos péchés, ni ceux de nos pères, ne nous rends pas selon nos offenses. Epargne-nous, Seigneur, Epargne le peuple racheté par ton sang précieux, dans ton amour, protège-nous à jamais.Amen."

" Be our light in the darkness, Lord, and in your infinite mercy, protect us from the dangers of the night that comes. By Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen."

" God the father, Creator of heaven and the earth, have mercy on us. God the son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God the Holy Spirit, sanctifier believers, have mercy on us. Holy and blessed Trinity, one God, have mercy on us. Lord Jesus, don't hold up our sins, nor those of our fathers, do not make us according to our trespasses. Save us, Lord, spare the people redeemed by your precious blood, in your love, protect us forever. Amen."

Let us pray as our Savior Christ has taught us:

Our Father in heaven

Hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come; your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory

For ever and ever. Amen.

A time of  silence (begun and ended with a chime)

A Prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi:

Lord, make us instruments of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let us sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is discord, union;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that in tranquility your dominion may increase, until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Creator who brought order from chaos give peace to you;

the Savior who stilled the raging storm give peace to you;

the Spirit who brooded upon the deep

give peace to you,

now and for ever. Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God.