Lament & Hope: Prayers & Teaching for Justice and Peace

A Prayer for Peace: Shine Forth, O Shepherd

March 14, 2022 Jon Swales
Lament & Hope: Prayers & Teaching for Justice and Peace
A Prayer for Peace: Shine Forth, O Shepherd
Show Notes

Words and Voice: Jon Swales inc. various scriptures inc. Psalm 80
Music.  Scot Buckley,  Classical Sad Music, Undertow (No copyright sound) 

A Prayer for Peace: Shine Forth, O Shepherd (Draft)



Give ear,

Listen to us,

O Shepherd of your people. 

You who are enthroned upon the cherubim,

Shine Forth.



From the wolves of war,

Rescue Us.



From the beast of militarism,

Deliver us.



Restore us, O God;

Let your face shine, that we may be saved!



All we like sheep have gone astray,

And colluded with empire and imperial intent.

We have walked into the valley of the shadow of death.

Have mercy upon us.



From the schemes of Putin,

Rescue us.



From that with comes to steal, kill and destroy.

Deliver us.



We have opened the door,

To the sin of Cain,

And the Masters of War have grown powerful

Through mechanised warfare on an industrial scale. 



Restore us, O God;

Let your face shine, that we may be saved!



Give ear,

Listen to us,

O Shepherd of your people.

Ukraine eats the bread of tears.

And we sit waiting, watching, wondering,

Where will this end?



From the escalation of conflict,

Rescue us.



From the threat of nuclear war,

Deliver Us.



Restore us, O God;

Let your face shine, that we may be saved!



We plead and beg,

Good Shepherd,

For the cessation of war and the flourishing of peace.

Have mercy upon us. 



We are the people of your pasture,

And the sheep of your right hand,

Speak to us that we may hear your voice.

Saying’

‘Do not be afraid, little flock.’



We are the people of your pasture,

And the sheep of your right hand,

Lead us beside quiet waters,

Restore our souls.



For those feeling violence,

As Refugees,

We ask that you would,

Tend to your flock,

Gather the lambs,

Carry them in your bosom,

And gently lead the nursing ewes.



And we speak against,

False Shepherds,

For those church leaders who colluded with conquest,

And the politics of Putin.

Bring repentance and recalibration.

That they may look and love like Jesus, by

Aligning with justice,

Walking with mercy,

And Speaking truth to power. 



From the wolves of war,

Rescue Us.



From the beast of militarism,

Deliver us.



Restore us, O God;

Let your face shine, that we may be saved!



Give ear,

Listen to us,

O Shepherd of your people. 

You who are enthroned upon the cherubim,

Shine Forth.



To him who sits upon the throne,

And to the Lamb,

Be all praise, honour and glory. 



Blessed are the peacemakers.



Amen