Prayer for the United Nations
September 13, 2022
Our Great God, who sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, we humbly come to you in prayer. We worship you with glad hearts because it is you who made us, we are yours. You created us in your own image, granting us dignity and worth. We are grateful for your unconditional, limitless love for all peoples and all nations. We desire to know you more and to have a greater understanding of your ways. Our hope is in you and in the greatness of your power.
As we anticipate the 77th General Assembly, we recognize that it is you who has brought us to the United Nations at this particular time. We desperately need you in order to fulfill our responsibilities to the global community. Thus, we commit this coming year to you, acknowledging that without you, our efforts to pursue the important mandates of our charter are in vain. We admit that the tasks before us require wisdom and strength beyond what we possess. We look to you to supply all that we need in order to truly serve each other, our nations, and the world. You have told us what is good…to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you. Forgive us for the times we have failed to do that. Plant in us a greater resolve to bring you glory and honor throughout all the nations of the earth.
O Lord, as representatives of the nations, grant each of us the grace to value and respect one another and to work collectively and wholeheartedly for the greater good of peace, for the stewardship of your world, and for the flourishing of all whom you have made in your image. May our character reflect your goodness in all our deliberations and decisions. Empower us with strength of heart through your Spirit, so that all that we do will be pleasing to you.
Mighty God, may we see through your eyes the many diverse needs and difficult conditions present in our world today. We cry out for peace in the many areas of war between nations and strife within nations. We ask you to eradicate the evils of human trafficking and slavery in its many forms. Restrain those who are turning to terrorism to bring about their goals. Have mercy on the millions of refugees around the world mourning their losses and trying to begin new lives. Continue to lead us with new and creative ideas to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
We thank you for the leadership and accomplishments of Secretary-General António Guterres and Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed. We pray that you will bless them and their families, and that you will guide and direct them in their many responsibilities. Looking ahead to the new General Assembly that begins today, we bring before you our President-elect, Mr. Csaba Körösi. God, grant him and us the necessary will and empower us by your Spirit to work for the peace, progress, and protection of all peoples. Work in us and through us to make a lasting difference in this and future generations.
We also pray today for the work of the six Main Committees of the General Assembly. May they be led effectively by their respective Chairpersons and grant that their work will promote greater international understanding and human flourishing. We also bring before you this morning the work of the Security Council. May they find solutions to conflicts that up until now have appeared to be intractable. We pray specifically for peace in Ukraine and a cessation of hostilities in that country.
May your kingdom come, and your will be done, through us, on earth as it is in heaven.
In the peaceful name of Jesus, Amen.
Scripture Readings
The Book of Psalms in the Old Testament, Chapter 86
A Prayer of David
1 Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God;
3 have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long.
4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.
5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy.
7 When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.
8 Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.
9 All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name.
10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.
11 Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.
14 Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me-they have no regard for you.
15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant; save me, because I serve you just as my mother did.
17 Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
The Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament, Chapter 7, verses 7-11
7 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?
11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
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