Gracious God,
my heart aches
as I read of the United States dropping bombs on Iran.
I mourn for the people, your children,
who were killed and wounded in the attack.
My spirit sags
as I ponder what may come next.
For bombs often lead to more bombs.
Violence begets violence.
The killing of any person is
an attack on your image
in which you create every person.
God who desires
wholeness and well-being for all
Give leaders of the United States, Israel, Iran, Hamas,
and all countries and peoples
the courage to break the cycle of violence,
to pursue justice and work for peace.
I pray in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Along the Graybeard Trail 