God of mercy and love, Lord of justice and peace:
We cry out to you on behalf of those who suffer
for the sake of righteousness.
We cry out to you to disrupt the plans of all who intend evil,
and who seek to harm the innocent.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit.”
Look with compassion on the people of Sudan,
Gaza, Lebanon, Ukraine, Armenia and Egypt,
and every place torn by political and religious violence.
Where pride and power have hardened hearts
and refused grace, grant humility that opens the way to peace.
“Blessed are those who mourn.”
Comfort families who grieve tonight because of loss,
displacement, and fear.
Gather your broken children in your healing embrace,
and grant light and hope where there is darkness and despair.
“Blessed are the meek.”
Through your Holy Spirit, raise up gifted leaders and ordinary citizens
who seek justice without vengeance,
strength without cruelty,
and courage without hatred.
Teach the nations to hunger and thirst
not for domination but for righteousness,
not for power but for justice.
“Blessed are the merciful.”
Soften the hearts of those who would withhold mercy.
Inspire them to forgive, to restrain violence,
and to pursue reconciliation.
Commission your people as peacemakers,
willing to cross barriers of faith and culture,
politics and history, for the sake of the Lamb
who was slain to make peace and give life.
“Blessed are the pure in heart.”
Reshape our world and give us leaders
who follow the example of Jesus:
women and men of godly character, and graceful words,
unwavering in their pursuit of justice and love.
“Blessed are the peacemakers.”
For all who work to bring peace to our world,
and those who seek to keep the peace,
grant wisdom and patience as they sow seeds of hope
in hearts and communities and institutions.
“Blessed are the persecuted.”
For all who suffer for the sake of righteousness,
grant perseverance and trust in your coming kingdom,
where swords are beaten into ploughshares,
tears are wiped away, and love wins over hatred and fear.
Through Christ our Lord, the Prince of Peace,
make us instruments of your peace
in our wounded world. Amen.
Rev Dr Rod Benson is General Secretary of the NSW Ecumenical Council and a minister of the Uniting Church in Australia serving at North Rocks Community Church in Sydney. This prayer was written for an ecumenical Prayer Vigil for Peace at St Anthony & St Paul’s Coptic Orthodox Church, Guildford, Sydney, on 5 February 2026.
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