To truly build unity requires deep relationships, solidarity and trust. We are so grateful to experience this kind of unity with you, our amazing supporters, and our global partners. It is a privilege to link generous Australians with incredible local partners, building movements for peace that bring transformation to individuals, families and communities.
As Christmas approaches, we are honoured that some of our partners around the world have shared their prayers of reflection. These prayers are poignant and deeply meaningful, offering beautiful insight into the nations and people we are committed to standing alongside.
At Act for Peace, our prayer today and always is that together we can create a world where people uprooted by conflict and disaster have a safe place to belong. May these prayers guide your own reflections and help create a space for your holy rituals, meditations and gratitude this Christmas.
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By: Deaconess Norma P. Dollaga, United Methodist Church
Recipient of the 2024 World Methodist Peace Award
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for the day will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9
Kapayapaan
Peace
Paz
Kalinaw
Salam
Shalom
Salaamata
Friede
Paix
Santi
Pace
Kedamaian
God, who is known by many names,
Draw us to Your heart.
To the deepest sighs of grieving souls,
so that we may stand and mourn with them for the loss of their kin,
taken by hunger and disease;
taken by bullets and bombs, accused as enemies of the state.
Bring us to your heart,
to the songs of people’s melodies.
They sing lullabies and hymns that long for freedom.
Their voices reach out to the highest heaven, like a prayer.
Lead us to their music.
So that we can sing with them, and pray with them,
until the song of FREEDOM unites us all.
Bring us to your heart.
To the dance of the people’s rhythm to struggle for life
that leads their movement towards justice and vision of peace
So that when we breathe in the wind of Shalom
we will know that victory is in us.
Lead us to Your kind heart.
To the poems of people’s tears that tell of their humanity.
Bring us to their stories of courage and hope,
Woven together so we may collectively find Your peace that surpasses understanding and action.
We long for peace.
A Peace that sets us free
from oppression and exploitation.
A peace that is JUST and enduring.
A peace that restores and celebrates our God-given humanity.
Amen.
Reflections and Prayer by Mayada Tarazi from Jerusalem (family originating from Gaza)
Loving God, Creator of all,
I stand before you today not just in prayer, but as a witness —
A Palestinian who carries the stories, the suffering, and the strength of my people.
In this moment of worship, I lift my voice to you — the source of life, love, and justice.
With a heart full of sorrow but also full of hope, I bring before you the pain of my people
in Palestine — especially in Gaza — where we are living through a genocide in real time.
Lord, the world may turn its face, but you do not.
You hear the cries of mothers searching for their children beneath rubble.
You see the fear in the eyes of youth who have known nothing but siege and destruction.
You feel the weight of our mourning, the longing for dignity, safety, and freedom.
Your Son, Jesus, said: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be filled.”
And so we hunger, we thirst, and we will not stop.
We ask you, God of justice, to move powerfully among us.
Stir the hearts of those in positions of power.
Break the silence of churches, leaders, and nations.
Let no one claim peace while ignoring injustice.
Let no one preach love without standing with the oppressed.
We pray for all people facing violence and occupation — not only in Palestine, but across the Middle East, Africa, and every land where people are struggling for their right to live in freedom and dignity.
God of the oppressed, empower us.
Make our faith active, our compassion loud, and our solidarity real.
Let us not only pray — let us act.
Let us speak truth.
Let us challenge the systems of power that destroy life.
Let us build a world where every child is safe, every home is sacred, and every people can thrive.
As I stand here today, I ask that this worship space become a space of awakening.
May hearts be opened, and may this prayer move us all to action —
To stand with the people of Palestine, to speak out against genocide,
To demand an end to occupation, and to live out our faith through justice.
Loving God, we will not give up.
We will not stop hoping, loving, resisting — until your justice prevails.
Until freedom comes.
Until peace is real.
In your holy name, we pray. Amen.
From the World Council of Churches
Gracious and Loving God,
We lift Zimbabwe into Your caring hands.
We pray for peace in our nation — that understanding, unity, and reconciliation may blossom among all people. Grant wisdom and compassion to our leaders, and help us build a country where justice and dignity are upheld for every citizen.
As the rainy season begins, we pray for good rains that will nourish our fields and bring a bumper harvest. May the earth yield abundantly so that families who depend on farming may be sustained and communities strengthened.
We ask Your blessing upon the work of Christian Care and our partners, as we continue to serve vulnerable communities across the country. Guide us to be instruments of Your compassion and peace, helping to restore hope where it has been diminished.
May Your grace be with those who struggle, Your peace with those who fear, and Your love with all who seek a better future.
In Your holy name we pray,
Amen.
Sent by Oxwell Madara at Christian Care
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