Service of Prayer and Meditation in Time of War

(NOTE: The hymns and songs listed in the service below are suggestions only. In preparing a worship bulletin, you may choose one or more from those suggested, or others of your own choice. The times of silence should last at least one or two minutes each. It is suggested these silences NOT be accompanied by musical background — that they be true moments of silent prayer and meditation. The opening song, "Our (My) Hope Is Built" is sung to the alternate tune of Melita, also known as "The Navy Hymn." This musical setting is available for free downloading and copying. Other suggested hymns and songs may be found in The United Methodist Hymnal and The Faith We Sing.)

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A SERVICE OF PRAYER AND MEDITATION IN TIME OF WAR

(Candles have been placed at the front of the sanctuary. During any of the times of singing or silence, you are invited to come forward, light a candle, kneel in prayer at the rail if you wish, and return to your seat. Please do not carry candles back to your seat.)

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Be Reconciled All You Who Enter Here —
parents and children; husbands and wives;
believers and those who cannot believe;
Christians and their fellow Christians.
(From the entrance to the Church of Reconciliation at the Community of Taizé, France.)

ENTER IN SILENCE AND MEDITATION

SINGING:

"Our Hope Is Built"
"Behold a Broken World," United Methodist Hymnal, 426
"For the Healing of the Nations," United Methodist Hymnal, 428
"O God of Every Nation," United Methodist Hymnal, 435
"This Is My Song," United Methodist Hymnal, 437
"We Utter Our Cry," United Methodist Hymnal, 439
"Let There Be Light," United Methodist Hymnal, 440
"What Does the Lord Require," United Methodist Hymnal, 441
"What Does the Lord Require of You," The Faith We Sing, 2174
"Unsettled World," The Faith We Sing, 2183
"When We Are Called to Sing Your Praise," The Faith We Sing, 2216

PRAYER FOR THE HUMAN FAMILY

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred that infects our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SILENCE

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 46

SINGING:

"O God, Our Help in Ages Past," United Methodist Hymnal, 117
"There Is a Balm in Gilead," United Methodist Hymnal, 375
"O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee," United Methodist Hymnal, 430
"Weary of All Trumpeting," United Methodist Hymnal, 442
"By Gracious Powers," United Methodist Hymnal, 517
"O Day of God, Draw Nigh," United Methodist Hymnal, 730
"Nothing Can Trouble" (Taizé), The Faith We Sing, 2054
"In the Lord I'll Be Ever Thankful" (Taizé), The Faith We Sing, 2195
"Stay with Us," The Faith We Sing, 2199
"O Lord, Hear My Prayer" (Taizé), The Faith We Sing, 2200

PRAYER FOR PEACE

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit that all people and nations may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

SILENCE

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 62

SINGING:

"This Is My Song," United Methodist Hymnal, 437
"For the Healing of the Nations," United Methodist Hymnal, 428
"O God of Every Nation," United Methodist Hymnal, 435
"Healer of Our Every Ill," The Faith We Sing, 2213

PRAYER FOR OUR ENEMIES

O God of all nations, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time, enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SILENCE

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 27

SINGING:

"I Want Jesus to Walk with Me," United Methodist Hymnal, 521
"Leave It There," United Methodist Hymnal, 522
"Saranam, Saranam," United Methodist Hymnal, 523
"Be Still, My Soul," United Methodist Hymnal, 534
"His Eye Is on the Sparrow," The Faith We Sing, 2146
"Make Me a Servant," The Faith We Sing, 2176
"Guide My Feet," The Faith We Sing, 2208
"My Life Flows On" ("How Can I Keep from Singing"), The Faith We Sing, 2212
"You Are Mine," The Faith We Sing, 2218

PRAYER FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, CIVIL AND MILITARY LEADERS

O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We commend our nation to your merciful care, that, being guided by your divine direction, we may dwell secure in your peace. Grant to the President of the United States and all civil and military leaders and to all in authority the wisdom and strength to know and to do your will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SILENCE

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 91

SINGING:

"God Will Take Care of You," United Methodist Hymnal, 130
"It Is Well with My Soul," United Methodist Hymnal, 377
"I Want Jesus to Walk with Me," United Methodist Hymnal, 521
"What a Friend We Have in Jesus," United Methodist Hymnal, 526
"Be Still, My Soul," United Methodist Hymnal, 534
"Nothing Can Trouble" (Taizé), The Faith We Sing, 2054
"You Are My Hiding Place," The Faith We Sing, 2055
"His Eye Is on the Sparrow," The Faith We Sing, 2146
"Eternal Father, Strong to Save," The Faith We Sing, 2191
"Guide My Feet," The Faith We Sing, 2208
"Faith Is Patience in the Night," The Faith We Sing, 2211
"You Are Mine," The Faith We Sing, 2218

PRAYER FOR PROTECTION OF THOSE IN MILITARY SERVICE

God of Love and Compassion,
We have come to ask for your protection for those who are being sent to faraway places to prepare for our defense. Before this season of unrest, we had grown comfortable with thinking of them only as they relate to us — as our parents and spouses, our sons and daughters, our neighbors and friends. We look forward to a day when no community will ever be asked to release its loved ones for purposes of war. But today, Lord, history and circumstances force us to release them into your care and into our country's service. We pray for their safe return; and not only for theirs, but for the safe return of others who are being sent from communities, so much like ours, in other parts of the world. As they face the myriad challenges and decisions that each day is destined to bring, may they be anchored by their faith, protected by your presence, and comforted by the knowledge that they are loved by you and by this community.

We bless them in your name, and look forward to their safe return, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SILENCE

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 23

SINGING:

"Dona Nobis Pacem," United Methodist Hymnal, 376
"Let There Be Peace On Earth," United Methodist Hymnal, 431
"O Day of Peace that Dimly Shines," United Methodist Hymnal, 729
"Give Peace" (Taizé), The Faith We Sing, 2156
"Come and Fill Our Hearts" (Taizé), The Faith We Sing, 2157
"Wounded World that Cries for Healing," The Faith We Sing, 2177
"Live in Charity/Ubi Caritas" (Taizé), The Faith We Sing, 2179
"In the Lord I'll Be Ever Thankful" (Taizé), The Faith We Sing, 2195
"You Are Mine," The Faith We Sing, 2218

PRAYER OF 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 doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, 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.

SILENCE

PRAYER OF BLESSING AND BENEDICTION

Merciful and loving God: We know that your desire is for all your children to live in peace. We pray for those who are now in danger as they defend the cause of justice. Watch over them and keep them in your mercy and your care. Support and comfort those who are filled with anxious thoughts for their loved ones. Bless those parents and children, those husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, all loved ones, who are now divided in time of war. Restore to us the joy of your salvation and uphold us with your blessed spirit of peace. This we pray in the name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Lord be with you.
AND ALSO WITH YOU.

DEPART IN SILENCE OR REMAIN IN PRAYER

Acknowledgments

Prayer for the Human Family, Prayer for Peace, Prayer for Our Enemies, and Prayer for the President and Civil and Military Leaders are adapted from The Book of Common Prayer according to the usage of the Episcopal Church, Church Hymnal Corporation, 1979, and are in the public domain.

The Prayer for Protection of Those in Military Service is by Safiyah Fosua. The opening hymn, "Our (My) Hope Is Built" and the musical accompaniment and tune (Melita/The Navy Hymn) are in the public domain.