Seeking Peace in a Time of War
Opening Prayer
Conflicts large and small rage around the world today and every day. Pray for whichever is on your heart today.
Read Psalm 120
1 I call on the Lord in my distress,
and he answers me.
2 Save me, Lord,
from lying lips
and from deceitful tongues.
3 What will he do to you,
and what more besides,
you deceitful tongue?
4 He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows,
with burning coals of the broom bush.
5 Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek,
that I live among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long have I lived
among those who hate peace.
7 I am for peace;
but when I speak, they are for war.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Which current world crisis has stood out the most to you?It can seem hopeless, can’t it? Praying and working for peace when all around us are wars, disputes, bombings and violence. Even on a smaller scale it can be dispiriting when our efforts at creating harmony at school, work or in the home fall on stony ground. People twist our words or speak ill of us, promise things they don’t deliver or pick a fight instead of pursuing peace. Yet the psalmist’s words assure us of the truth—when we call on the Lord, he does answer. Let that give you strength again for the battle.
Pete Greig, the founder of the 24/7 prayer movement, has a helpful way to think about how to pray for war zones, natural disasters and other overwhelming world events. He encourages us to pray for the: People—those who are grieving, bereaved, displaced or injured; Pastors or Priests—these people have their greatest-ever ministry opportunity, just when they too are dealing with the same trauma; Politicians—those in the country and in the international community who are seeking to restore order and provide aid; and the Peacemakers—the NGOs and aid agencies working on the ground to meet the immediate and long-term needs such as tending wounds, delivering food and water, reuniting families and rebuilding communities.
Apply
Is there a local or family crisis in which you can be the peacemaker? Choose to take steps toward making peace today.
Closing prayer
Use the above prompts to guide your prayers for whatever is on your heart today.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.