Prayer for Basra

We pray, Jesus, for the people of Basra, at the edge of endurance after days of fighting.

We pray for the million people there who have no water supply, and for the UN engineers working to provide for them. We pray for the 100,000 children whose lives are at risk from disease.

And we pray for the hundreds of civilians there who have lost loved ones in the fighting, and for those at risk as violence continues.

Jesus, help those who are trying to get relief through to them. Comfort those in the city who are terrified of what lies in store, and strengthen those who are at the end of their endurance. May help come quickly.

Prayer by Steve Tomkins

Guide them to acts of mercy

"Even when God is foolish, he is wiser than everyone else, and even when God is weak, he is stronger than everyone else" (1 Corinthians 1:25).

Father, grant your gifts to the leaders on both sides of this conflict. Show them the wisdom and strength of your love, and guide them to acts of mercy, charity and peace.

We pray you will hold the innocent in your embrace, give your comfort to the bereaved, and for the rest of us - shine your light on the Truth.

Prayer by Gareth Child

Make us to love

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear" (1 John 4:18).

Pray for all fearful people in a fearful world.

O God of all people:
Make us to love the Iraqis,
Make us to love the Kurds,
Make us to love the Palestinians,
Make us to love the Israelis,
Make us to love the Americans,
Until your love has driven out all fear.

Amen.

Prayer by Peter Graystone / Christian Aid

War, suffering, injustice

We pray for the people of Iraq, caught between two nightmares – a tyrannical regime and a terrible war.

Faced with such alternatives, we cannot ask that all will be well. But we do pray that they will be spared the worst, and that good somehow will come from of bad.

May peace grow out of war, may happiness grow out of suffering and may justice grow out of injustice.

Prayer by Steve Tomkins