Praying for a country at war: peace, civilians and the Church on the ground
Images of a war reach us through the screen, between two messages and a meal. We are moved, we feel helpless, then we move on. This quest invites you to give a place to that emotion: choose a country in conflict and carry it before God, for its peace and for the Church that lives there.
What it looks like in your day
Choose one country, just one, that you will follow for a few days. Get informed in a few minutes from a reliable source to find out who is affected, and how. Then pray, following these focuses:
- For peace. That the fighting would stop, that negotiations would succeed, that reason would prevail. Without pointing a finger: you ask God to put an end to the violence.
- For civilians. Children, the elderly, the sick, the displaced. That they would be protected, fed, cared for.
- For those who lose a loved one. Bereavements, separations, disappearances: ask for comfort and courage.
- For refugees. That they would find shelter, welcome, dignity.
- For caregivers and rescue workers. Those who risk their lives to save others.
- For the Church on the ground. That it would be a place of refuge, comfort and reconciliation, that it would stay faithful and be protected.
- For leaders. That they would receive the wisdom to choose peace.
One possible prayer: “Lord, you know this war. You see every family. Put an end to the fighting. Protect the children. Comfort those who weep. Sustain your Church.”
If you are short on time, one sentence is enough, with the name of the country. If you are shy, this gesture is discreet. If the images overwhelm you, limit the time you spend in front of them: get informed, then pray.
What the Bible says
Psalm 122 invites us to pray for peace:
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.”
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem”: a city that has known many wars. The prophets, for their part, announce a time when weapons will be turned into tools of peace:
“And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
“They shall beat their swords into plowshares”: a horizon we can pray for. It is not an illusion: it is the biblical hope. Jesus tells his disciples: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you” (John 14:27), and he declares blessed those who make peace (Matthew 5:9).
Pitfalls to avoid
Taking sides in anger. It is natural to feel anger in the face of injustice. But your prayer is not a press release. Ask that justice be done, that victims be protected, that peace return.
Letting yourself be overwhelmed. A flow of images can lead to anxiety and despair. Get informed in moderation, then lay down what you have seen.
Forgetting the other wars. Some are heavily covered, others almost ignored. Also think of those that no one talks about.
Limiting yourself to prayer. Prayer can lead to a gesture: a gift to a reputable organization, welcoming a family, a message to a friend from there.
Naming a “side of God”. God is not the ally of a flag. Pray for all the victims and for peace for everyone.
Today, choose a country at war. Pray for peace, for civilians and for the Church that lives there.