Many days, O God, the pains of our world are too much to bear. And so as we remember your sons and daughters around the world, we turn to you.

We pray for those on the front lines. For those in North Korea, Darfur, the Congo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Iran, Palestine, and Israel. for those who fear the explosion of another bomb, For those who cannot sleep because of the piercing sounds of gunshots. for those who have declared their own cities and towns a war zone through gang fights and drive by shootings.

We pray for those who have suffered destruction. For those whose homes have been flooded. For those whose homes were swept away by the wind. For those who have no home to speak of and make do with cardboard box or with only a blanket.

We pray for those who are afflicted by illness. For those with HIV/AIDS. For those with cancer. For those with diseases. For those with mental illness. For those who have unidentified illnesses.
We pray for those who suffer abuse. For children who fear for their lives and safety in their own homes. For spouses who fear the touch of their partner. For the elderly who are mistreated. For victims of sexual violence. For children who endure the taunts of bullies.

We pray for so many others who are in our hearts and on our minds.

Today we seek refuge in you. We seek safety in your embrace. We seek solace in your comfort. We seek healing from your anointing. We seek peace from the Prince of peace. We seek reconciliation through the redemption of the Christ. In you, O God, there is hope. We hope for an answer. We hope for healing and for help. In you we trust, and to you we turn. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.