Friends,



This morning many people will come to worship with a desire to pray for the nation after hearing the news of the strike on Iran that happened Saturday evening. This prayer is offered as a resource in the hope that it may assist you in your leadership today. I am praying for you and the spiritual leadership you provide to your members and community.

In Christ,

Tom

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A Prayer for the Nation Today

Our hearts are burdened this morning by the violence unfolding before us.

As bombs fall in Iran and fear rises, we cry out to You.

We pray for the people of Iran who have no influence or say in the actions of their government but this morning, live in fear.

We remember the people of Israel, who over and over have been wounded by war and are weary of conflict.

We pray for those in the United States who fear repercussions and know the cost of conflict.

Bring protection to the innocent,

Peace to those who live in fear,

And justice rooted in compassion.

We lift before You the men and women serving in the U.S. military,

Those who walk into danger in the name of duty.

Guard their lives, steady their spirits,

And bring them home in peace.

In this critical moment, we lift before You the leaders of the world—

Presidents, prime ministers, Ayatollah, imams, generals, diplomats, and all who hold power and influence.

Surround them with wise counselors.

Speak to them by the power of your Holy Spirit.

Quiet every voice that speaks out of pride, fear, vengeance, or greed.

Enable them to work to end conflict before it spirals into further harm.

Open their ears to hear the cries of the innocent,

And their hearts to the cost of war.

May they choose the narrow path of peace

Over the wide road of destruction.

Give them the courage to pause before violence,

The imagination to seek alternatives,

We pray especially for the leaders of the United States, Iran, Israel,

And every nation drawn into this spiral of conflict.

Let no decision be made in haste or hatred.

Let no life be treated as expendable.

Lord, enable us to one day beat swords into plowshares,

And stir a holy unrest in every leader who dares to believe

That peace is not weakness but wisdom.

We, Your people, commit ourselves to prayer, to accountability, to vigilance, and to the hard work of peace.

Help us not to fall into despair or continued division.

Guard our minds and mouths from hateful speech—online, in our communities, and in our hearts.

Come, Lord Jesus.

Rule in every heart.

Reign in every place.

And lead Your world in the ways of justice and peace.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray.

Amen.