A Native American Prayer for Peace

O Great Spirit of our Ancestors, I raise my pipe to you.
To your messengers of the four winds, and to Mother Earth who provides for your children. Give us the wisdom to teach our children to love, to respect, and to be kind to each other so that they may grow with peace in mind. Let us learn to share all the good things you provide for us on this Earth.

Native Prayer to the Great Spirit

The Great Spirit is in all things, He is in the air we breathe.
The Great Spirit is our Father, but the Earth is our Mother.
She nourishes us, that which we put into the ground, She returns to us...

 - Big Thunder (Bedagi) - Wabanaki Algonquin

I Dream a World

I dream a world where man
No other man will scorn,
Where love will bless the earth
And peace its paths adorn
I dream a world where all
Will know sweet freedom's way,
Where greed no longer saps the soul
Nor avarice blights our day.
A world I dream where black or white,
Whatever race you be,
Will share the bounties of the earth
And every man is free,
Where wretchedness will hang its head
And joy, like a pearl,
Attends the needs of all mankind-
Of such I dream, my world!

- Langston Hughes

A Prayer for Mercy

Spirit of the Living God,

We have gathered in this place this morning,
allow your spirit to fill our very being.
Most gracious and loving God,
we remember the struggles of our people, black people,
people of African descent,
your people and thank you for your grace,
your love, and your mercy.
We thank you for leaders that you continue to place in high places and ordinary places.
Inspire each of us to work more faithfully for justice and dignity of life everywhere.
Lord God, we remember the hurts of exclusion and prejudice,
but we know that you can raise our vision above all barriers and give us wisdom and courage to make this a better world.

As you give us yourself in the Bread of Hope and the Cup of Mercy - show us how to give ourselves to those who are without hope and to those who cry for mercy.

Lord God, rule over our spirit in this hour that we will go from this worship with the freedom of those who trust in you.

In the name of Jesus Christ,

Amen.

- Author Unknown