PRAYERS AND SONGS FROM AFRICA

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Our Lord and God Almighty,

we praise you,

for you created us all and made us

into many different tribes and nations,

that we may befriend one another

and that we may not despise each other.
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Open our hearts, we pray,

so that we may respond to the needs

of all our brothers and sisters.

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Oh Lord Jesus, bless all our lands

with more lasting peace and fraternal understanding.

Above all, heavenly Father,

touch the hearts of our political leaders

and all those in power.
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We pray that they may exercise power gently,

that they may humbly seek a disinterested dialogue

that will bring about understanding,

leading us all to a place where all nations and all people

live together in peace and harmony.
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Where there is bitterness teach us forgiveness and reconciliation,

replace hatred with love and indifference with care.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
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Amen.

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Oh Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your apostles

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you”
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Give us courage to challenge the perpetrators of violence

and to change their behaviour.
Help us devote our whole life,

thought and energy to the task of making peace.
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We pray for a new Africa,

where fear, violent thoughts or action shall no longer exist,

and where selfishness will not lead people to

commit injustice to others.
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As for the peoples of every African tongue and race,

may your kingdom come;

your kingdom of justice, peace and love.

May peace prevail in Africa.

May peace prevail on earth.

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Amen.

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Lord, rightful advocate of peace.

God of power and mercy, please destroy war,

which results in a spiral of human suffering

and the destruction of your bountiful creation.

Eliminate violence from our midst and wipe away the tears.

Hear the cries of many African people

afflicted through the death of their loved ones.

Hear the sighs of those who live in constant fear,

Hear the cries of many African mothers

who suffer with hunger pains but still break their backs

to feed their families,

Hear the cries of those who have been displaced

and are facing hunger and scarcity.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour we pray.

Amen

All three prayers composed by
 Aneth Lwakatare
(Tanzania)
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