Here is a prayer for peace from Lei Garcia of the Philippines:
Grant us peace that will
BREAK
our silence in the midst of violence
then prophetic voices shall resonate.
Grant us peace that will
PULL US DOWN
from the steeple of our pride
then we’ll learn to wash each other’s feet.
Grant us peace that will
EMPTY US
of hate and intolerance
then we’ll turn guns into guitars and sing.
Grant us peace that will
SHUT
our mouths up when we speak too much
then we’ll learn to listen and understand what others are saying.
Grant us peace that will
DISTURB
our apathy
then we’ll dance together under the sun.
Grant us peace that will
BURN
our weary hearts
then we’ll let love and justice glow
Here is a prayer for peace by Mark Koenig of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program:
God who creates community and guides us as we live as the church, we pray for our sisters and brothers in the Philippines who endure persecution for their faith and their work in Christ’s name for human rights. We are grateful for their courage and their witness. We give thanks for the efforts of the people of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, people of faith, people of no faith, and others who work for human rights and justice for those who are disadvantaged. We pray for health workers who were recently arrested. Keep them safe. Speed the day when justice is done for them. We pray for those who are concerned for loved ones who have been arrested or disappeared. Grant patience and strength for this time of waiting. Speed the day of reunion. We pray for those who resort to violence. Help them see the futility of the cycle of violence. Speed the day when they turn to nonviolent alternatives to express their concerns. We pray for those who order arrests and intimidation and torture. Turn them around and fill them with a concern for justice for all and a desire. Speed the day when all the people of the Philippines are ensured the rights granted them in the constitution. We pray for those who are expected to carry out such orders. Touch them with your Holy Spirit that they may see Christ in one another and act accordingly. Speed the day when they live together as you intend. We pray for all the people of the Philippines. Grant wisdom and courage. Speed the day when peace prevails. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.