Dear God,
If there’s one thing I know for sure right now, it’s that the world wasn’t meant to be like this.
Nice, France. Orlando. Dallas. Alton Sterling. Philando Castile. These names, and too many others like them, are my nation’s newest synonyms for tragedy. For the friends and family of those who have died, they represent moments of agony that can never be unwritten. For those whose race or sexuality or occupation has given them reason to fear the same kind of violence, they are threats, reminders that catastrophe is a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.
Even for me, though these names are little more than headlines to weep over and shake my fist at, they still leave me reeling. They make me wonder how much longer the world as I know it can possibly survive. They make me wonder what I can do, how I should respond, if I too am complicit in this violence.
But you, God, know these names better than all of us. They’re not just names to you. You’ve studied every detail of every life damaged or lost in these tragedies. You’ve numbered the hairs on every head, gathered every tear. The people I’ve only ever known as victims, you’ve known all along as reflections of your own image.
You know far better than I that the world wasn’t made for hatred and pain. You’re the one who knew our human race from the very beginning, the one who breathed life into our dust and called us very good. You know just how beautiful we were intended to be.
So if my heart is breaking right now, surely your heart must be breaking too.
I pray to you not as someone distant and aloof, but as someone near to me, near to us, even in the midst of chaos. I don’t have to shout to get your attention. You are close enough to hear my broken whispers. No matter how strong or weak I feel, no matter how much or how little
faith
I can muster, I’ll start by whispering this:
Give us peace.
You are the sovereign ruler, the mover of mountains, the victor of impossible victories. You are Lord over earthquakes and tsunamis, over nations in turmoil and terrorist plots, over starving children and fleeing refugees and prisoners tortured for their faith. You speckled the sky with stars and set the earth spinning like a top. You own everything, control everything. Your hand allows each mind to think and teaches each heart to beat. There is nothing you can’t do. So I pray, even though it seems impossible:
Give us peace.
Bring an end to violence and hatred and discord. Steady the feet that rush into war and the finger poised on the trigger. Bring justice to the downtrodden, restoration to the marginalized and abused, hope to the hopeless. Guide all those in positions of power—whether that power is political or physical or social—and give them wisdom to use their power wisely. Give them, and all of us, the grace to admit when we are wrong and to seek forgiveness. Give us the grace to forgive.
Help us see your face in the faces of the people around us. Give us courage to love one another even when love seems like a risk. Give us compassion for those who are unlike us. Teach us to listen to those we disagree with, to hear stories that make us uncomfortable. Heal the hatred in the world around us by healing our own hearts first.
Give us peace by making us agents of peace.
Even now, in the midst of the darkness, I believe you are at work. I believe you have the power to fashion something new and beautiful out of our disastrous ruins. Give me patience as you work. Don’t let me rush so quickly into peace that I fail to learn from the chaos. If you’re revealing ugliness in my nation and world so that I can begin to address it and transform it, don’t let me be content to simply sweep it under the carpet. I want more than a temporary cease-fire of my own making. I want true peace, lasting peace.
Your peace.
If tragedy and chaos persist, keep me from apathy. Give me a heart that loves deeply enough to break again and again. Give me a passion for peace that only burns brighter as time goes by.
Thank you that your love has never stopped blazing. Thank you that no matter how many times our human race falls, you have never fallen into apathy. When we are faithless, you remain faithful.
One day, I know, you’ll give us a perfect peace that lasts forever. One day every sorrow will be erased and every tear wiped away. One day pain will be locked in a heavenly museum and hatred will be the stuff of history books.
But I dare to ask for peace sooner than that. I dare to believe, along with King David in
Psalm 27:13
, that
“I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”
I dare to plead with you in the name of Jesus, in the name of the one who suffered so I could plead with you:
Give us peace.
Gregory Coles is an author and an English instructor at Penn State University. Learn more at www.gregcoles.com.
This article is part of our larger Prayers resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can’t find the words to pray.
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Table of contents
Prayer for Peace in Islam:
Prayer for peace means worshiping Allah through intended communication. Muslims use prayers for different purposes and the same way, there are different types of prayers. There are prayers to request for something. We also offer prayers of supplication. People always use prayer to say thanks or to praise Allah. Out of different types of prayers, one is a prayer for peace.
Prayer to Find Peace:
Muslims use peace when they request for peace to their Allah. Through the prayer of peace, Muslims petition for the peace of the world. They may also use peace of prayer for the achievement of personal inner peace as for Muslims, Allah is enough.
“If Allah should aid you, no one can overcome you; but if He should forsake you, who is there that can aid you after Him? And upon Allah let the believers rely”
(Al-Quran 3:160)
World Peace and War:
This world has never a state of complete peace throughout the history. Wars have taken place and some parts of the world are still passing through the period of wars and terror. The other reason for the wars, terror and absence of complete peace in this world are the misuse of power and misinterpretation of the meaning of word peace. These reasons always caused and are also causing discomfort in this world of peace.
Why Prayer is Powerful:
We also use the prayer for peace when we need to get peace of mind and heart, strength and protection. We all need inner peace as inner peace makes us live a care-free life full of happiness. That is why; civilized people and strong believers of Allah always move towards offering the prayer during their times of unrest and trouble.
Daily Prayer for Peace:
Seeing the situation of unrest in the present world, there is a need of daily prayer. Human beings have now become a prey of war and terror. The prayer is a strong part of the religion of Muslims. Each day, believers of Allah offer the prayer for the elimination of the situation of war and unrest in a specific country.
“Allah places not burden on any soul but to the extent of his strength whatever good it earned is useful for it and whatever bad it earned is a loss for it. O our Lord! Catch not us if we forget or miss the mark! O our Lord! And place not heavy burden on us as you had placed on those before us. O our Lord! Put not that burden onus of which we have no strength to bear! And pardon us and forgive and have mercy on us. You are our Master; then help us against the infidels”
(Al-Quran 2:286)
Islam a Religion of Peace:
Islam is a religion of peace. Allah does not like those who cause terror and unrest for others. Therefore; he asks Muslims to fights such people who cause trouble for others and make this world a hell for others. The Muslims who do not have courage and strength to fight against such people, they use prayer for peace.
“Undoubtedly, Allah bids justice and good doing and giving to kindred and forbids indecency and wicked things and rebellion. He admonishes you that you may be mindful”
(Al-Quran 16:90)
“And fight them until there is no mischief and be there worship of one Allah, then if they desist, there is no violence save against oppressors”
(Al-Quran 2:193).
How Prayer Helps Us:
A peace of prayer makes us feel protected. It plays a major role in maintaining the peace of our mind and heart. When we do not offer prayer, our life seems to be full of troubles. The followers of Islam offer to seek help and guidance from Allah.
A way to Success:
A prayer leads us towards new ways of success and peace as when we pray we get solutions for our problems by the Allah. A prayer widens the paths for us as when we surrender ourselves to Allah, he takes the challenges and makes paths widen for us.
Spiritual Connection with Allah:
A prayer also establishes our connection with Allah. When we pray, we are very close to Allah; he listens to us and gives answers to our requests. Prayer is a way to establish a state of peace all around us. The importance of prayer has been described in many scriptures. When we fail to achieve peace by our wealth and struggle, prayer is a sure way to get peace of mind and heart, strength and protection. To make your prayers answerable, you need to pray from your heart. When one prays from the heart, Allah surely answers to his question.
Prayer Gives Us Peace:
Satan always tries to trap human beings and enlightens the way of evil in the eyes of human beings. Therefore; we need to seek forgiveness for our daily sins as our sins take away our inner peace. A short prayer is a solid way to seek forgiveness by promising the creator of the world to renounce Satan the next day and for making your bond with Allah stronger. A short prayer for peace is indeed a great victory against Satan.
Prayer for Personal Peace:
Human beings get worried and also fearful as their lives get into a little trouble. The lost their peace of mind and heart. Prayer is a strong and a powerful way to overcome this anxiety and to get back peace of mind and heart. Only, Allah can grant us peace of mind and heart. A prayer for peace of mind and heart will take off your depression, worries, and anxiety.
“Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured”
(Al-Quran 13:28)
“The devil dreads you of destitution and commands you of lewdness, and Allah promises you forgiveness and abundance. And Allah is All-Embracing All-Knowing”
(Al-Quran 2:286)
Prayer for Peace and Strength:
When we do not feel protected, we become restless and lose our peace of mind and heart as well as our strength. Remember, Allah is the only protector. Prayer for strength and a prayer for protection is a way the people use to handover them to Allah to get peace.
“Allah is the Protector of Muslims; brings them out from darkness towards light and the supporters of infidels are devils, and they bring them forth from light towards darkness. They are the people of hell, they are to abide therein”
(Al-Quran 2:257)
Prayer and Peace:
There is a situation of unrest and war in the present world. There is a need of peace of the world and peace of our inner as the soul of every one of us is in anxiety. A prayer is a way to give yourself under the protection of Allah who only can fill you mind, heart, and the world with peace and happiness.
“O You who believe! Enter absolutely into peace (Islam). Do not follow in the footsteps of Satan. He is an outright enemy to you.”
(Al-Quran 2:208)
A prayer for peace is a tool to make your crooked path straight and wide. Allah is the creator of everything in this world. He knows everything and when we pray to him, we get closer to him and he promises to help his creature when his creature calls him. Only Allah can give us freedom from worries and we can get inner peace only by renouncing Satan and by seeking forgiveness from Allah for our sins.
Recite Surah al Kahf, Surah Naas, Surah Rahman and Surah Mulk after every prayer.
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Prayer for Peace
A prayer for peace may be used to petition God for world peace or for personal inner peace when your own life is troubled. The world’s long history has been full of wars for land, power, and even in the name of peace. Most civilized people want an inner peace toward happiness and care-free lives. The Bible provides verses addressing both issues with the promises, instruction, and prophecies of God.
Prayer for Peace – Personal Peace
It is human nature to worry, become fearful, or desperate when one’s life is in excessive turmoil. But Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Some other verses regarding personal peace are:
- Live in Peace (Mark 9:50)
- Jesus overcomes trials and sorrows (John 16:33)
- Peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
- Christ gives peace and rest to all who come to him in faith (Matthew 11:28-30)
- Jesus gives us peace of mind and heart (John 14:27)
- Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)
Prayer for Peace – World Peace
As long as mankind is running the world, there will be no real and lasting peace. Evil is real and runs rampant in the hearts of men who do not follow the Lord. All of us have been born with a sin nature and until we accept the gift of atonement Jesus has paid for each of us, we will have disorder, hostilities, and war mongers.
- There is no peace for the wicked (Isaiah 57:21)
- The beatitudes teach “blessed are those who work for peace” (Matthew 5:9)
- Jesus said war will break out near and far, but not to fear, they must happen (Mark 13:7)
- The world will have tribulation, Jesus overcomes the world (John 16:33)
- Peacemakers will plant seeds of peace, reap goodness (James 3:18)
- In the end of times, rider of the apocalyptic red horse is given the sword and authority to remove peace from the earth (Revelation 6:4) (But then Jesus returns and conquers evil.)
Prayer for Peace – Relying on Jesus
Jesus overcomes the world with all of its pain, wars, and evil because He is the Prince of Peace. It is through Him that we can pray and know that those who walk uprightly will enter into peace (Isaiah 57:2). “If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace” (Romans 8:6). Jesus has offered us a way to peace regardless of circumstances; we must decide daily which way to follow.
This Prayer for Peace began to circulate in 1981 in England. Its source is not clearly known, and it has no ties with any single denomination or faith.
“Lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth. Lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Lead me from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill our heart, world, our universe.”
Learn More About Gaining Peace!
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
– We have all
sinned
and deserve God’s judgment.
God
, the Father, sent His only Son to satisfy that judgment for those who believe in Him.
Jesus
, the creator and eternal Son of God, who lived a sinless life, loves us so much that He
died
for our sins, taking the punishment that we deserve, was
buried
, and
rose from the dead
according to the
Bible
. If you truly believe and trust this in your heart, receiving Jesus alone as your
Savior
, declaring, “
Jesus is Lord
,” you will be saved from
judgment
and spend eternity with God in heaven.
What is your response?
Yes, today I am deciding to follow JesusYes, I am already a follower of JesusI still have questions
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This prayer for peace is based on John 14:27.
John 14:27 New International Version (NIV) “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27 New Living Translation (NLT) “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
John 14:27 Amplified Bible (AMP) “ Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. ”
John 14:27 King James Version (KJV) “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 14:27 Prayer for Peace
Jesus, we thank you that you promised us peace. When you left this earth you gave your peace as a gift to your disciples and followers and as we follow you today that same peace is available to us. We receive it as your sons of peace. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who gives us tranquility of the mind and heart in troubling times. Thank you for the fruit of your Spirit, peace. We pray that you would impart that peace to our mind, heart and soul continually. We bind up fear and cast if from our midst and we loose your perfected love which casts out all fear. We pray a new revelation into Your love for us and with this revelation the peace that passeth all understanding will fill us. Give us peace for the journey to fulfill the plan and destiny that you have on our lives. Thank you that this peace will never leave us for it is not given as the world gives peace. Your peace does not ebb and flow or wain based on culture, society, money, government, daily circumstances when things are good or when things are bad. Your peace is not fickle. It stands on Your word and is stable and will stay with us through all eternity. Let us never take our eyes off of you so that the waves of this world will consume us and take our peace. Your peace is wrought by your grace and may your grace abound even more in us. Thank you for your peace and we trust you to perfect everything that concerns us. We lay at your altar everything that would take our peace and trust that you will be Sovereign over all. Speak “Peace be still”. Fill us now anew with your peace, in Jesus Name, Amen
Here are some other Prayers
Prayers for Strength
Bible Verses for Protection and Against Fear
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