A Prayer for Putting an End to All Violence, Including Violence in Our Communication, by Scotty Smith

A Prayer for Putting an End to All Violence, Including Violence in Our Communication, by Scotty Smith

How long, O Lord, until you return and put an end to all violence—whether it’s in the streets of Syria or the villages of Iraq; the highways of Arizona or the business district of Manhattan? How long before there’s no more warring nations, or even divisive personalities . . . .

We yearn, crave, and long for the Day when peace will be our governor and well-being our ruler . . . .

Until that Day, Jesus, help us to live by the gospel, not by the sword – by the way of your cross, not by the ways of mere men . . .[i]

Father, help my words to be non-violent. Help me choose words that bring peace and put an end to violence. May my speech be a balm to heal the pain of thoughtless self-expressions transmitted during moments of anger or at times where I lack of self-control. I crave communication that is filled with your love.

A-men.

[i] Scotty Smith, “A Prayer for Lamenting Violence and Longing for Its End,” The Gospel Coalition, Sep. 13, 2015, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scotty-smith/a-prayer-for-lamenting-violence-and-longing-for-its-end/.