God of angel armies, hear our prayer
for your beloved world.
Cast out the demon of bomb dropping.
Cast out the demon of rocket hurling.
Cast out the demon of bullet shooting.
Cast out the demon of hostage holding.
Cast out the demon of civilian persecuting.
Cast out the demon of ceasefire breaking.
Cast out the demon of perpetual despairing,
that would tell us there is no way to peace.
God, you are an impossibility specialist.
Send down angels to melt frozen hearts.
Send down angels to protect civilians.
Send down angels to destroy weapons.
Send down angels to negotiate treaties that last.
Send down angels to gather a scattered people.
Send down angels to heal a broken nation.
Send down angels with good news of great joy
which shall be for all people,
all people who live in this warring world.
I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.