"Hear what the LORD says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice." (Micah 6:1)

Prayer and Peace

The following were used in the Service of Prayer & Peace held on March 23, 2003 in the Sanctuary of First United Methodist Church of Richardson, Texas. The prayers were taken from the United Methodist website www.umc.org and are part of a resource called A Service of Prayer and Meditation in Time of War. The testimonies are from two of our church members.

A Prayer for Protection of Those in Military Service

    God of Love and Compassion,

    We have come to ask for your protection for those who are being sent to faraway places [in] our defense. Before this season of unrest, we had grown comfortable with thinking of them only as they relate to us — as our parents and spouses, our sons and daughters, our neighbors and friends. We look forward to a day when no community will ever be asked to release its loved ones for purposes of war. But today, Lord, history and circumstances force us to release them into your care and into our country's service. We pray for their safe return; and not only for theirs, but for the safe return of others who are being sent from communities, so much like ours, in other parts of the world. As they face the myriad challenges and decisions that each day is destined to bring, may they be anchored by their faith, protected by your presence, and comforted by the knowledge that they are loved by you and by this community.

    We bless them in your name, and look forward to their safe return, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    Safiyah Fosua
    January 31, 2003

Prayer For The President Of The United States, Civil And Military Leaders

    O Lord our God, whose glory is in all the world: We commend our nation to your merciful care, that, being guided by your divine direction, we may dwell secure in your peace. Grant to the President of the United States and all civil and military leaders and to all in authority the wisdom and strength to know and to do your will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer Of Blessing And Benediction

    Merciful and loving God: We know that your desire is for all your children to live in peace. We pray for those who are now in danger as they defend the cause of justice. Watch over them and keep them in your mercy and your care. Support and comfort those who are filled with anxious thoughts for their loved ones. Bless those parents and children, those husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, all loved ones, who are now divided in time of war. Restore to us the joy of your salvation and uphold us with your blessed spirit of peace. This we pray in the name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 Testimony from two of our members who served in WWII

    Dick Mussett

        When they were home with us we took them seriously but with a lightness which is the way we do things. They were greeted and nurtured and their clothes were cleaned and time seemed an endless song of love and devotion. Then they went to college or on an extended business trip or joined the armed forces. The only thing that changed was that they were in another place, around the corner, over a nearby hill, not too far from home. They were doing what they wanted to do. We felt that only we could be all things to them and we were quite certain that only we could love them enough and nurture them the way they should be loved and nurtured. It’s a natural human emotion full of caring.

        Now they are involved in a strange surreal endeavor not just around the corner. They are thanking God that this endeavor is not near their home. It is vitally important to them that the place of their service is a long way off, not where you are. Now they must take care of themselves without us. Our fear is the nagging feeling that they are alone, that they won’t do all they must do to take care of themselves. Our fear is that they will be alone.

        Alone? Nothing could be farther from the truth. They are with their new family as surely as if they were in your living room. Don’t be jealous. The family they are with is a tight and lovingly bonded fellowship, a brotherhood, a relationship that you and I cannot enter but thank God that it is there. Take heart that their brothers and sisters in the service are constantly vigilant for their safety as they are for the safety of their brothers and sisters.

        But this doesn’t mean that they don’t need YOU. They do need you. Support them in every way possible. Write letters about your comings and goings. Keep those cards and letters coming. Tell them about the things that have always connected you with them. About neighbors, about the church, about the town, about the family, how the trees are budding. Please, oh please don’t complain. Remind them to pray for themselves. Tell them you love them; all the time tell them you love them. Tell them that you pray for their safety, that they should always wear clean underwear. Tell them you love them.

        How do I know this? All the above sustained me half a century ago as a soldier in a combat infantry division in Europe in World War Two. I survived nine months on the front lines because I was not alone. My brothers surrounded me and my family loved me. Take heart. Have courage. God is good.

        Dick Mussett (reprinted with permission)
        March 22, 2003

    Harold Hine,  Reflections from a Past War

        I’m well into my seventh decade of life so I probably qualify as an Old "Geezer." An old geezer may not remember World War I but does remember the Great Depression and certainly World War II and Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito, all symbols of dictatorships, captive societies and a desire for world domination. They also lived through the Korean War, the Cold War, Jet Age, the Moon Landing and Vietnam.

        In the early 1940’s, it was easy for a young man graduating from high school to volunteer to serve his country and go off to war. Our country had been attacked without warning; we were needed to defend our homes and our way of life. The people at home were totally supportive of those who served, freely expressing their respect, love and prayer to those who served their country. Over the years, in subsequent wars, it became less clear as to the reason for involvement in wars. Our society did not display the same degree of support to those who served.

        Today, as we embark on another military action to answer a threat to our national security, we find our country becoming divided on the issue of war, with demonstrations much like that occurring during the Vietnam War. What we all must keep in mind is the fact that our leaders have determined this action necessary in the best interests of all its citizens. I believe the men and women who serve our country today, here or overseas, look for the same strengths as those who served in the past. The spiritual strength of their belief in God’s grace, the love and prayers of their families-parents, wives, children and the respect and prayerful support of their countrymen. Regardless of how you may feel about the course of action taken by our leaders, we owe the men and women serving their country today this support.

        Harold Hine
        United States Marine