Call to Prayer – Mennonite Church Canada congregations are encouraged to join our sister congregations in MC USA who are praying for peace amidst political turmoil.
Lament for a New Year (paraphrased from MC USA release)
Creator God, in your mercy, you have made all things new and given us the power to live into the new creation that is in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). Yet, instead of trusting and seeking the renewal of our minds in Jesus who is our peace, we have begun the year trusting in chariots and horses again (Romans 12:2, Psalms 20:7).
As we see escalating tensions, we denounce violence and war and pray for peace.
We pray for the spirit of mercy to slow us down to remember those who will be most impacted by war. May we not rush to actions that cannot be reversed.
We pray for political leaders to reason together and discern the ways that lead to equity and justice, that we may live as peaceably as possible with all.
We recognize the image of God in the face of our enemies and those who we despise.
We pray for prophets who clamor in the streets for peace and justice. May they be heard in heaven and on earth.
We pray for the capacity to see that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).
Deliver us, O God. Guide our feet in the way of peace.