Praying for peace is a big and broad topic. It can seem overwhelming. As kids go back to school this month, the Church of Peace wants to pray for them to have a safe school year. We are asking everyone to join us on Wednesday, August 29 for a day of action to pray. We want to have someone, or many someones, praying at every second and minute during a 12-hour period from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. that day. You choose your time to pray from wherever you are during your day. #prayforpeace

You can join our Facebook event and post your prayer ideas and even when you are going to take time to pray on Wednesday, August 29.

Everyone is invited to close their day with a time for fellowship during a potluck from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Church of Peace. We’ll end with a prayer for peace together at 7 p.m.

“Prayer is a communication with God that travels in both directions–sharing and listening.”

It can sometimes be hard to come up with a prayer on your own.  Or it can be hard to focus on praying with so many other thoughts coming to mind.  Here are some resources to help you get started:

PRAYER RESOURCES

The Church of Peace is celebrating the Year of Psalms this year.  Here are some Psalms from the Bible that you could focus on:

• Psalm 17
• Psalm 20
• Psalm 37
• Psalm 141

You could recite this blessing for the children as they begin their new school year.

Blessing – We bless these children because they are special!  We bless them to have a safe environment to grow physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.  We bless them with our prayers for God’s daily protection and provision.  We bless them with a heart for God that no matter where they are or what they do.  We bless them in Jesus’ name.  The Lord bless them and keep them; the Lord make his face to shine upon them and be gracious to them, the Lord turn his face toward them and give them peace. (Num. 6:22-27)   (from the AnchorPoint Christian School)

It can also be helpful to have a specific person or people in mind when you are praying. You could pray for school children you know, teachers you know, and/or a specific school you know.

Prayer – Father of all mercies,
We ask that you would bless the youngest and littlest of learners, the most helpless and powerless of persons,
with Your infinite and loving mercy,
granting them the strength to learn, concentrate, and act in love towards their teachers and fellow students.
We also ask that You would watch over them,
at home and at school and give them proper direction so that they may learn
of Your wonderful virtues.
We ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen                  -by David Bennett

Prayer – God, thank you for the school bus ahead, and the goofy face pressed to the back window, waving and grinning. May she/he always be well.  Thank you for reminding me to wave back to her.               -by Alan F. Parker

You may want to pray for schools that have seen gun violence previously, and/or the victims of that violence.  The United Church of Christ has put together some prayer resources about this.

Please let us know what other prayers you use. Thank you for your interest in joining us on August 29 to Pray for Peace.