Today is International Day of Prayer for Peace.  "The World Council of Churches-sponsored International Day of Prayer for Peace takes place on the same day as the UN International Day of Peace," notes http://www.oikoumene.org/.

This prayer for peace was written by members of the World Council of Churches for use today.  I have adapted the language just slightly to make it more inclusive:

Our Lord and God Almighty,

we praise you, 
for you created us all and made us 
into many different tribes and nations, 
that we may befriend one another 
and that we may not despise each other.

Open our hearts, we pray, 
so that we may respond to the needs 
of all our brothers and sisters.

Oh Lord Jesus, bless all our lands 
with more lasting peace and fraternal understanding.

Above all, heavenly Creator, 
touch the hearts of our political leaders
and all those in power.

We pray that they may exercise power gently,
that they may humbly seek a disinterested dialogue 
that will bring about understanding,
leading us all to a place where all nations and all people
live together in peace and harmony.

Where there is bitterness teach us forgiveness and reconciliation, 
replace hatred with love and indifference with care.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen. 

Please use this prayer and share it with others today.