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Prayers for Peace

Since May 2002 when J. Daryl Byler of the MCC Washington Office took peace lamps to Iraq, Mennonites have been lighting lamps and praying for peace around the world. Advent 2007 Mennonite Church USA provided free peace lamps to dozens of congregations who light them weekly while praying for peace. Hundreds of congregations use the weekly peace prayers.

Here is a prayer your congregation might use weekly when lighting your lamp:

Leader: We light this lamp to remind us that Christ is the light of the world, and that as Jesus has reconciled us to God, we have the ministry of reconciliation.
Congregation:   We choose to witness to the light of Christ’s peace and justice and commit ourselves to reflecting Christ’s love.

* Iran prayer cards (1210k PDF)

Weekly Prayer for Peace
To receive the weekly prayer by e-mail, Register online

View Prayers for Peace Archive  

other prayers
*  World Council of Churches prayers for peace in Iraq

Photos from Iraq
Looking at photos of faces and places in Iraq is an emotional and concrete way to pray. Here are sites we found helpful--and wrenching.

  Joel Preston Smith is a photojournalist from Portland, OR, and is currently a member of the Iraq Peace Team in Baghdad
  Carol Hochstedler was a participant in the Academic Peace Conference at the University of Baghdad January 14-16 and a member of a Christian Peacemaker Team delegation to Baghdad January 11-25, 2003
  The Unseen Gulf War, Peter Turnley, December 2002 (gruesome)
  Mark Beech, Mennonite Central Committee
  Bill Thompson, University of Michigan

  Iraq : Prayers   View All Prayers
Title DateAuthor
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)1/15/2009  by Bradley Burston 
written by Bradley Burston for Haaretz Newspaper in Israel.  January 8, 2009
(407K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)1/8/2009  by J. Daryl and Cynthia Byler 
written by J. Daryl and Cynthia Byler, MCC Representatives for Palestine, Jordan, Iraq and Iran.  January 8, 2009
(68K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)1/1/2009  by Carol Penner 
written by Carol Penner of Vineland, Ontario. January 1, 2009
(68K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)12/23/2008  by Timothy Seidel 
written by Timothy Seidel, Director for Peace and Justice Ministries with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) U.S. December 25, 2008
(407K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)12/18/2008  by Anne Yoder 
written by Anne Yoder, a lay leader at West Philadelphia Mennonite Church, and the archivist for the Swarthmore College Peace Collection. December 18, 2008
(68K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)12/11/2008  by Carol Penner 
written by Carol Penner of Vineland, Ontario. December 11, 2008
(68K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)12/4/2008  by Susan Mark Landis 
written by Susan Mark Landis, peace advocate for Mennonite Church USA. December 4, 2008
(69K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)11/27/2008  by Sharon Waltner 
written by Sharon Waltner, Mennonite Church USA moderator. November 27, 2008
(208K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)11/20/2008  by Gilberto Flores 
written by Gilberto Flores is Director of Denominational Ministry and Missional Church for Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership. November 20, 2008
(208K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)11/13/2008  by Byron Rempel-Burkholder 
written by Byron Rempel-Burkholder, editor, Faith & Life Resources, Mennonite Publishing Network, November 13, 2008
(208K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)11/6/2008  by Susan Mark Landis 
written by Susan Mark Landis, peace advocate for Mennonite Church USA, November 6, 2008
(410K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)10/30/2008  by Various 
This prayer was compiled from the thoughts and hopes of many people , October 30, 2008
(206K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)10/23/2008  by Rich Preheim 
This week's prayer is written by Rich Preheim, director of the Mennonite Church USA Historical Committee. , October 23, 2008
(205K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)10/16/2008  by Bek Linsenmeyer 
Bek Linsenmeyer is part of a congregation--North Goshen Mennonite--that is working at cross cultural ministry in a neighborhood with many Hispanics., October 16, 2008
(206K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)10/9/2008  by MCC 
This week we especially invite your prayers for Colombia and our Mennonite sisters and brothers there. The attached prayer is in response to the situation in Colombia., from MCC, October 9, 2008
(406K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)10/2/2008  by Warren Tyson 
This week's prayer is written by Warren Tyson, Executive Conference Minister for Atlantic Coast Conference, New Holland, Pa. and Conference Minister for Eastern District Conference, Souderton, Pa., October 2, 2008
(207K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)9/25/2008  by Anne Meyer Byler 
This week's prayer is written by Anne Meyer Byler. Anne is Peace Resources Librarian at Goshen College., September 25, 2008
(208K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)9/11/2008  by Kristy Shellenberger Yordy 
This week's prayer is written by Kristy Shellenberger Yordy. Kristy is a member of Assembly Mennonite Church in Goshen, IN., September 11, 2008
(207K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)9/4/2008  by Lois Nafziger 
This week's prayer is written by Lois Nafziger. Lois works as an administrative assistant for several programs of the Church Leadership Center of the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary., September 4, 2008
(211K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)8/28/2008  by N. Gerald Shenk 
This week's prayer is a reflection after the arrest of Radovan Karadžić for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Bosnia, written by N. Gerald Shenk. Gerald and his wife served in the former Yugoslavia under Mennonite Central Committee and Eastern Mennonite Missions. They lived for two of the nine years in Bosnia, where Radovan Karadzic was later to rise to prominence leading the Serbian minority in Bosnia into unspeakable atrocities against their neighbors (the Croats, the Muslims and others, even Serb civilians who refused to join the renegades in the hills.), August 28, 2008
(267K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)8/21/2008  by David Friebe-Makinto 
David Friebe-Makinto, age 10, August 21, 2008
(212K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)8/21/2008  by Mukarabe Makinto-Inandava 
Mukarabe Makinto-Inandava, HIV-AIDS/Immigration Advocacy and Global Partnership, Amahoro Int'l/Shalom Ministries/West Coast Mennonite Central Committee, August 21, 2008
(207K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)8/14/2008  by Sheri Hostetler 
Sheri Hostetler, pastor of First Mennonite of San Francisco, August 14, 2008
(207K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)8/7/2008  by Susan Mark Landis 
Susan Mark Landis, Peace Advocate for Mennonite Church USA, August 7, 2008
(268K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)7/31/2008  by Christi Hoover Seidel 
Christi Hoover Seidel, Peace and Justice Support Network administrative assistant, July 31, 2008
(208K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for peace   (PDF)7/24/2008  by Jorge E. Vielman 
Jorge E. Vielman, Regional Associate for Michigan/Northwest Ohio, Mennonite Central Committee, Great Lakes, July 24, 2008
(207K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)7/17/2008  by Leo Hartshorn 
Leo Hartshorn, Minister of Peace and Justice for Mennonite Mission Network, July 17, 2008
(205K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)7/10/2008  by Jim Loney 
Jim Loney, Christian Peacemaker Teams member. Jim was one of the four CPTers taken hostage in Iraq in 2005, July 10, 2008
(413K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)7/3/2008  by Samantha Lioi 
Tonya Ramer Wenger, pastor of Madison (Wis.) Mennonite Church, July 3, 2008
(210K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)6/26/2008  by Tonya Ramer Wenger 
Tonya Ramer Wenger, pastor of Madison (Wis.) Mennonite Church, June 26, 2008
(207K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)6/12/2008  by Jane Hoober Peifer 
Jane Hoober Peifer, pastor of Blossom Hill Mennonite Church in Lancaster, PA., June 12, 2008
(408K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)6/5/2008  by Jorge E. Vielman 
Jorge E. Vielman is Regional Associate for northwest Ohio & Michigan for Mennonite Central Committee, Great Lakes, June 5, 2008
(205K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)5/29/2008  by Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach 
Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach, Director, Washington Office, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., May 29, 2008
(205K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)5/22/2008  by Sarah Thompson 
This prayer was written by the junior high school Sunday School class at Prairie Street Mennonite Church in Elkhart, IN. Sarah Thompson is their teacher., May 22, 2008
(205K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)5/15/2008  by Duncan Smith 
Duncan Smith, Conference Minister, Pacific Northwest Mennonite Conference. , May 15, 2008
(206K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)5/8/2008  by Everett Thomas 
Everett Thomas is editor of The Mennonite., May 8, 2008
(205K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)5/1/2008  by Rachel Swartzendruber Miller 
Rachel Swartzendruber Miller is the Associate Director for Convention Planning, Mennonite Church USA., May 1, 2008
(408K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)4/24/2008  by Jodi Read 
Jodi Read, Associate for Migration and Peacebuilding, West Coast Mennonite Central Committee, April 24, 2008
(206K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)4/17/2008  by Leo Hartshorn 
Leo Hartshorn, Minister of Peace and Justice, Mennonite Mission Network, April 17, 2008
(407K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)4/10/2008  by Hugo Saucedo 
Hugo Saucedo, Mennonite Church USA Western District Conference Youth Pastor, April 10, 2008
(68K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)4/3/2008  by Joy Kauffman 
Joy Kauffman, from Willow Springs Mennonite Church, and centers on Zimbabwe, April 3, 2008
(269K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)3/27/2008  by Gordon Houser 
Gordon Houser, associate editor of The Mennonite, March 27, 2008
(66K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)3/20/2008  by Susan Mark Landis 
Susan Mark Landis, peace advocate for Mennonite Church USA., March 20, 2008
(68K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)3/13/2008  by Esther Epp Tiessen 
Esther Epp Tiessen, Peace Ministries Coordinator for Mennonite Central Committee Canada, in April, 2004. Unfortunately, it is still very timely today., March 13, 2008
(268K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)3/6/2008  by Andre Gingerich Stoner 
Andre Gingerich Stoner, director of interchurch relations for Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership and Pastor of Missions at Kern Road Mennonite Church., March 6, 2008
(68K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)2/28/2008  by Rev. Clay Thomas 
Rev. Clay Thomas, a planner for the March 7 interfaith peace witness in Washington, D.C., February 28, 2008
(18K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)2/21/2008  by Peggy Gish 
Peggy Gish, who is currently serving with Christian Peacemaker Teams in Iraq, February 21, 2008
(73K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)2/14/2008  by Iris de Leon-Hartshorn 
Iris de Leon-Hartshorn, Director of Intercultural Relations for Mennonite Church USA, February 14, 2008
(69K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)2/7/2008  by Cliff Kindy 
Cliff Kindy has been a reservist with CPT (Christian Peacemaker Teams) since 1990, February 7, 2008
(69K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)1/31/2008  by Weldon Nisley 
Weldon Nisley, pastor of Seattle Mennonite Churc, January 31, 2008
(68K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)1/24/2008  by Linford King 
Linford King, denominational minister for Mennonite Church USA, January 24, 2008
(66K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)1/17/2008  by Laurie Oswald Robinson 
Laurie Oswald Robinson, editor of Timbrel magazine, January 17, 2008
(68K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)1/10/2008  by Susan Mark Landis 
Susan Mark Landis, Mennonite Church USA peace advocate, January 10, 2008
(68K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)1/3/2008  by Dick Davis 
Dick Davis is pastor of Peace Mennonite Church in Dallas, TX.
(69K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)12/27/2007  by Marathana Prothro 
Marathana Prothro is director of Communications for Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership, December 27 2007
(70K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)12/20/2007  by Leo Hartshorn 
LeoHartshorn, Minister of Peace and Justice, Mennonite Mission Network and co-director of Drumming for Peace, December 20, 2007
(69K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)12/13/2007  by Cheryl Zehr Walker 
Cheryl Zehr Walker. Cheryl is an associate director of Mennonite Education Agency, December 13, 2007
(71K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)12/6/2007  by James Krabill 
James Krabill, Senior Executive for Global Ministries at Mennonite Mission Network, with Jason Shenk, MVSer in Elkhart, Indiana, December 6, 2007
(69K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)11/29/2007  by Mary H. Schertz 
Mary H. Schertz, Professor of New Testament and Director of the Institute of Mennonite Studies at AMBS, November 8, 2007
(68K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)11/8/2007  by John H. Powell 
John H. Powell, Director for U.S. Ministries, Mennonite Mission Network, November 8, 2007
(101K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)11/1/2007  by Susan Mark Landis 
Susan Mark Landis, Mennonite Church USA peace advocate, October 25, 2007
(69K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)10/25/2007  by Susan Mark Landis 
Ron Byler, associate executive director of Mennonite Church USA., October 25, 2007
(156K .PDF)
Weekly prayer for Iraq   (PDF)10/18/2007  by Jim Schrag 
Jim Schrag, Executive Director, Mennonite Church USA, October 19, 2007
(68K .PDF)
A prayer for the missing CPT men in Iraq12/8/2005  by Jack Suderman 
A prayer for the missing CPT men in Iraq: We pray for Harmeet, James, Norman and Tom,
A prayer for enemies9/21/2004  by Tom Beutel 
Praying for Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein.
View Peace Signs Article
Prayer Against Violence4/29/2004  by Carol Penner 
Dear God: The newspaper brings nothing new only an old, old story of war in Iraq- more bombing, more shootings, more bloodshed. One more family wailing a funeral song.
Prayer for Iraqis and Americans4/29/2004  by Esther Epp-Tiessen 
You are our creator and sustainer, our rock and our redeemer, the source of truth, of life and of love, our help in times of trouble. We bring before you today the suffering of our blood-soaked world. In particular, we pray for the people whose lives are tormented by the war in Iraq.
Prayer Against Violence4/29/2004  by Carol Penner 
Perfect love casts our fear and so today we pray for your spirit of Love on our world.
Ordinary lives in extraordinary times4/23/2004  by Mary H. Schertz 
Classroom prayers in a time of war
A Confession in the Time of War3/27/2003  by Steve Ramer 
My God, My God why have you forsaken me? My God, My God why have you forsaken the children of Iraq?
I No Longer Pray for Peace3/19/2003  by Ann Weems 
On the edge of war, one foot already in, I no longer pray for peace: I pray for miracles.
Prayers Before the Impending War in Iraq3/18/2003  by Rev. Max B. Surjadinata 
All too often, we have thought of ourselves as above and beyond other nations, and that we are the center and source of peace and freedom in the world.
Prayer for Peace3/16/2003  by Susan Balzar 
For all the children not yet born who would suffer from the lingering effects of war fought with conventional, nuclear and biological weapons... We pray for peace.
Mennonite Conversation on Peace Phone-in Prayers3/10/2003  by Susan Mark Landis 
These prayers were presented during the March 10,2003 call-in phone conversation.
Prayers used during the Service of Prayer and Discernment1/24/2003  
Prayers used during the Service of Prayer and Discernment at Washington National Cathedral January 20, 2003
Father of Lights Prayer1/19/2003  by Robert Rhodes 
Prayer: Father of Lights, help us to carry within ourselves the suffering of the people of Iraq, especially now as war draws near and as their homes and families come under attack again from an enemy that does not even know them.
Listen to the plea: A prayer to stop the new war against Iraq9/19/2002  by Susan Mark Landis 
A congregational prayer for courage to speak against a new war against Iraq
Litany and Prayer for Iraq   (PDF)8/28/2002  

(79K .PDF)