Prayer Ideas | Mysite

Peace One Day

There are many situations which need our prayers for peace: - personal, local, national and international. Below are some suggestions, choose one or more of these to focus on in your time of prayer.

General Prayers

PRAY FOR PEOPLE AFFECTED BY VIOLENCE

That people in conflict zones will be protected from the violence; that there will be provision of essential supplies, such as food and clean water. Pray for vulnerable people who cannot flee, for example those with disabilities or the elderly.
That refugees will find safe places to stay. Especially when refugees are being discriminated against on racial grounds – pray that there will be compassion and support for all.
For healing for people who are wounded or have experienced trauma; and comfort for those who are grieving.

PRAY FOR THOSE IN POSITIONS OF LEADERSHIP

That leaders on both sides of conflict will be filled with compassion, wisdom, calm and a desire for peace.
That world leaders will seek ways to build bridges, de-escalate tensions, and restore global security.

PRAY FOR THE CHURCH

That the church in the wider region of conflict will be a voice for peace; and that they will have the resources they need to help people who are vulnerable.
That the church and other organisations around the world will have the courage and conviction to speak out against aggression and injustice.
That God’s power will be revealed through the church in the situation you are praying about – bringing a message of love and hope in the midst of the darkness.

PRAY FOR THE GLOBAL IMPACT

There will be knock on effects in conflict to wider regions, and the rest of the world. Pray for the damage to be contained and stability to return.

PRAY FOR PEACE

That there will be an immediate end to the violence – that peace will come sooner than anyone could have expected or hoped for.
That diplomatic solutions will be found that will lead to lasting peace in the region.
That people who have fled will be able to return home, and that what has been destroyed will be rebuilt.
For strength for individuals and organisations working for peace at local, national and regional levels.

Dear God, please guide us in our efforts to help bring relief to these troubled regions. Our world is full of hurting people and nations torn apart by war and violence. Please protect, comfort, and heal children and women and men who face unspeakable loss and profound emotional and physical challenges. Unite us in pursuing a world where all can thrive in Your peace, mercy, and abundance.

Prayers for specific countries and situations

Afghanistan

The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is deepening.

The economy in Afghanistan has collapsed. With little or no work available, and food in short supply, families are forced to take desperate measures simply to stay alive. There are heartbreaking reports of parents selling their children because they cannot afford to feed them.

Critical need

Half the population – 22.8 million people – don’t have enough food to eat
More than 6 million people have been forced from their homes by conflict
Around 80 per cent of the people displaced within Afghanistan are women and children

Afghanistan needs your prayers. Please join us in crying out to God for the people of Afghanistan.

Dear God,
Move quickly to help the people of Afghanistan.
Let there be provision for those who are suffering from disease and hunger.
Let aid agencies be able to reach and support vulnerable families.
Let the economy stabilise, so people can find work again.
And let there be a lasting, peaceful solution to the conflict.
Amen.

A prayer for flood victims

Heavenly Father, as we try to comprehend the destruction that flooding causes to people's lives, our hearts grieve. We ask for you to be with all who have suffered loss in floods. For those who have lost homes, we pray for shelter and community. For those who have lost livelihoods, we ask for financial security.

Ukraine

The war in Ukraine has driven 6.3 million people to seek refuge in other countries, as of December 2023. Children, enduring nearly two years of turmoil, have faced immense physical and emotional hardships. As of January 2023, over 5 million children were experiencing educational disruptions.

Pray for the church

That the church in the Ukraine, Russia and across the wider region will be a voice for peace; and that they will have the resources they need to help people who are vulnerable.
That the church and other organisations around the world will have the courage and conviction to speak out against aggression and injustice.
That God’s power will be revealed through the church in this situation – bringing a message of love and hope in the midst of the darkness.

Pray for peace

That there will be an immediate end to the violence – that peace will come sooner than anyone could have expected or hoped for.
That diplomatic solutions will be found that will lead to lasting peace in the region.
That people who have fled will be able to return home, and that what has been destroyed will be rebuilt.
For strength for individuals and organisations in Ukraine, Russia and the region who are working for peace at local, national and regional levels.

Dear God, we lift the people of Ukraine who have been affected by the ongoing war. We pray for an end to the conflict that has displaced millions from their homes. May peace prevail in the region, ending the suffering and allowing families to rebuild their lives and livelihoods. Please guide leaders and nations to work toward lasting peace and stability in Ukraine and around the world.

Gaza

Suffering Servant, Saviour, and God, we thank you that in your earthly life you have shown us a different way to live, a way that meets hate with love, fear with hope, blame with confession and reconciliation. Raise up peace makers on all sides of this conflict. We pray for those organisations working for reconciliation: for Musalaha, Rabbis for Peace, Church Leaders of all denominations and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. We pray that they will raise the banner of hope and peace in the middle of a conflict where many would seek to condemn one side or the other, reminding us of the precious value of each individual made in the image of God.

Lord, in your mercy,

Pray for peace

Pray for an immediate ceasefire, an end to the violence, and the release of all hostages.
Pray for world leaders with influence in the region to make wise decisions that lead to lasting peace.
Pray that God’s peace would fill the hearts and minds of everyone who is suffering as a result of this conflict.

Pray for safety

Pray for all civilians – that God would protect them from harm, particularly the most vulnerable, including children, older people, and people with disabilities.
Pray for humanitarian workers – for protection for those who are working to provide humanitarian assistance and medical supplies.
Pray for the safe distribution of food, water, sanitary items, medical supplies and fuel.
Pray for people forced to flee their homes – pray for safe places to stay and that they will be able to return home.

Pray for strength

Pray for church leaders – for wisdom and strength to lead people through fear and uncertainty. Pray for bravery as they guide their communities and offer loving support.
Pray for faith leaders and communities across the region – that they would stand firm, and for unity, connection and mutual understanding so that they can help bring people together and show kindness.
Pray for aid workers in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and neighbouring countries – that God would strengthen them as they support schools and hospitals, and as they provide psychosocial support, food and essentials to families who have been displaced.

Pray for hope

Pray for those who are terrified, mourning and suffering. Ask God to save them from despair – for the trauma and violence they’ve experienced not to overshadow hope.
Pray that people in Gaza and Israel and those in the wider region wouldn’t lose hope that peace is possible. ‘With God, all things are possible’ (Matthew 19:26).

Pray for healing

Pray for people who have been traumatised or injured; ask God to heal their physical and emotional wounds and bring them deep comfort.
Pray for hospitals and medical staff – for strength as they continue to provide life-saving services to all those affected. Ask God to provide all the resources and equipment they need to treat the sick and injured.

Dear God,

We cry out to you on behalf of the people seriously affected by the conflict in Gaza and Israel. Our hearts break at the devastation and suffering that we see, and we know it breaks yours, too.

We ask that you would stretch out your mighty hand to bring an end to this war.

We cry out for people who have been injured or traumatised, who have lost loved ones or their homes. Please provide everything they need and be their comfort, their hope, their healer, and their safe refuge.

We pray for your peace to reign. We look to you as our Saviour and the hope of the world.

Amen.

Praying for people affected by natural or man-made disasters

Truths to Meditate On

When catastrophes happen, we can often wonder about or doubt God’s goodness and sovereignty.

Here are five truths about God to hold onto:

God loves us “Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 36:5-7
God sits with is through the pain and weeps with us. He didn’t promise a life without trouble in this broken world, but guaranteed His peace and presence with us through it all.“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
God hears our prayers and answers “In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.” Psalm 18:6
God comforts us “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
God heals our hearts “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

For more help on how to pray, check out our guide to praying for breaking news stories.