2024 Joint South-North Prayer for Peace and Reunification on the Korean Peninsula
Inspired by Psalm 10 (NRSV)
Why, O God, do you stand far off?
It seems like only yesterday we were holding hands and crossing over this wall that has stood here so long, but now we are calling each other enemies rather than children of God. The communication that we shared with each other as we were filled with hope is now cut off, and only slander and fear come and go on the wind currents overhead. All agreements have vanished, landmines cover every road, every valley is filled with echoes of anger, and guard posts are being constructed on every peak. They said, “we have to become stronger than them and build our strength faster than them,” and now they say we must arm ourselves with nuclear weapons. Why, O God, do you stand far off?
Why, O God, do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
Even though news of war all over arrives without end, we are preparing for another big war. Warships of other nations come and go off the coast of the Korean Peninsula while missiles and bombs pile up. As if that is not enough, we converse with other nations to make this an even bigger battle. They say, “We have to prepare for war so that we will not be shaken and so that generations after us will not suffer,” as they spew curses, lies, and words of violence. Why, O God, do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
Rise up, O God.
As we have fallen down, rise up with us. As we pour out before your feet, O God, our long-standing sins of ignoring and justifying our history of hatred and war, our long-time sin of allowing ourselves to be swept away by hostility as we curse our fellow siblings, and our sin of losing courage in despair and disappointment, may we rise up. We shall rise up.
Lift up your hand, O God.
O God, who makes peace, spread out your hands. For the work of God who promised peace, who declares, “I will heal you,” for the work of turning swords into ploughshares, of breaking down the wall that blocks our way, God will put our people’s hands to work, so lift your hands. We strive to lift our hands.
O God, do not forget us.
Give us the desire for peace. Passionately engrave these words on every church in North Korea and South Korea, “Until peace is achieved give all your strength.” As we confess the truth that we are all one body entangled in the chords of the Holy Spirit, that we are one body serving the God of Peace with one mind, and we believe that peace, reconciliation, and reunification are our calling, O God, do not forget us. We will not give up.
God, as you are the God of Peace forever, allow not those who engage in lies and violence to set foot on the Korean Peninsula. Thus, let all people in the South and North, in the North and South, join hands and live our lives together.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
August 15th, 2024
National Council of Churches in Korea
Reconciliation and Reunification Committee