Prayers for France and Turkey (Again)

How long, O Lord, how long? Every week we come to you adding to the list of names; victims, perpetrators, and places of violence and pain in the world. Today we hold before you the people of France and Turkey. Every night we flood our bed with tears and drench our couch with weeping. Our eyes waste away with grief. Our spirit shakes with terror. There is no peace in the world, there is no peace in our hearts. How long, O Lord, how long?

We turn to you, O Lord. To whom else can we go? You are the one who took us out of the womb. We have been entrusted to you ever since we were born.

Lord, hear our prayer and let our cry come to you.

Grant, O Lord, eternal rest to all who died in the attack at Nice, France and the coup attempt in Turkey. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls, and the souls of all the departed, through your mercy, rest in peace.

Remember in your mercy all who mourn and grieve the death of family and friends. Nourish them with patience, comfort them with a sense of your goodness, strengthen them to meet the days ahead, lift up your countenance upon them, and give them peace.

Let your healing presence be upon those who were injured. Give them comfort, courage, and hope. Restore them to life.

Draw near in this time of sorrow and anguish. Strengthen those who are weary, encourage those who despair, and lead us all to fullness of life.

Look with compassion, O Lord, on the whole human family, whom you have made in your image and according to your likeness. Take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts, break down the walls that separate us, and unite us in bonds of love.

Give us the grace, will, and perseverance to overcome violence and hatred that we may love one another as ourselves.

Teach 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.

Open our eyes, O Lord, to see that you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you, bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom.

In the silence of heartbreak open our ears to hear your words, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

[Allow a few moments of silence]

May your words fill our hearts, guide our actions, and echo in the words we speak. “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

Lord, hear our prayer and let our cry come to you. Amen.