Holy God,

Our nation is involved in another war–

We read yesterday of missiles launched in Libya

which is the other side of the world, but also in our homes; in our hearts.

Gadhafi tortures and kills his own people,

Desperately grasping at power with weapons, threats, force.

The Libyan rebels launch bloody attacks,

hoping guns and bombs will lead them to freedom and peace.

Other nations, including ours, look on in horror,

responding to violence and threats with threats and more violence.

O God of mercy, hear us from these depths.

The sorrow sits in the pits of our stomachs.

The fear rises into our chests.

So we lift up our eyes to you. From where will healing for this broken world come?

O Lord of life. O Prince of peace.

Do not let our feet be moved from the path of peace.

For us, for our leaders, for all the people of Libya:

Be our keeper. Be our shade.

Keep us from all evil. Keep our lives.

Keep our going out and our coming in from this time on and forevermore.

Have mercy on us, O God. And grant your peace to our world.

Amen.

(Some lines taken from Psalm 121)