Prayer of Thanks for Restored Peace
Thank God for peace and ask for righteousness and restoration.
Historical edition. Historical claims and instructions are preserved as historical context.
Lord. Lord, gracious, and merciful, and abundant in goodness! In Thy just judgment upon us for abusing the good days of the former peace. Thou tookest away that peace from our land, and broughtest a bloody war upon us. Thou sentest our enemies upon us as a punishment. These drew the sword, slew, desolated the land, and filled us with fear and terror. But although we deserved that this war should have destroyed us utterly, yet in Thy wrath Thou didst remember mercy, and didst put into the minds of the opposing rulers thoughts of peace. For this we give Thee heart-felt, joyful thanks. The heads of the opposing armies have agreed upon terms of peace. At Thy command the sword returns to its sheath, the exiles return, and once more we are able to go in and out of our gates without fear of danger. Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion. For He hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; He hath blessed thy children within Thee; He maketh peace in thy borders.
What a precious treasure is the peace over which the whole land now rejoices! Today Thou renewest to us Thy promise: a Ye shall dwell in your land safely. And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid; neither shall the sword go through your land." O Lord, grant that this peace may last as long as we live, Lift up Thy countenance upon us, and give us peace as a precious part of Thy divine blessing upon Thy people. Let our peace be like a river that never runs dry, but flows without ceasing. Let righteousness and peace always kiss each other, and righteousness look down from heaven.
Grant us Thy Holy Spirit, that we may not abuse this precious peace by luxury, intemperance, and carnal security, but seek our spiritual edification, and walk in the fear of the Lord. Bless and restore the desolated land; and let Thy thoughts toward us be always thoughts of peace. And at the end of our days, let us depart from this world in peace, and be received into the habitations of peace above. Amen.