Prayer for July 1, 2023

This day marks the anniversary of beginning of one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War, O God, and we still find our world at war in various places around the world. We also have people who seem to want war to force their selfish desires over others all around us. May we find ways to disagree peaceably. May we seek to turn swords into plowshares and realize that your creation provides us with ways for our wealth and blessings to be used to help those in places of poverty and instability find peace and prosperity. Let us recognize that if we put as much energy into building others up as we do preparing for possible action against our enemies we could change our world. Help us to see our neighbors, aliens and those different than ourselves as beloved children of God and worked toward treating them as our chosen family. May our love overcome the suspicions that creep into our fear of the unknown and guide us toward the world you intend for us. Amen