A Conciliator's Prayer

Ken Sande, the founder of Peacemaker Ministries 
prays this prayer as a conciliator. 

This is the prayer of my heart as a pastor, as well 


O LORD, God
Today I am called to be a peacemaker, 

but I am unfit for the task.  
By nature I am a peace-faker and a peace-breaker, 
so I myself need help.

Others ask me to understand and guide them, 
but my ears are dull, 

my eyes are dim, 
and I lack the wisdom they need. 

But you, Lord, have all they need, 
so I come to you for supply.

Make me fit for your purposes, 
so I might serve them and honor you.

Cleanse me from my own sin 
so I will not add to their problems;

take the logs from my eyes, 
so I can remove the specks from theirs.

Fill me with your Spirit so they may benefit from your fruit:

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Give me wisdom from above so 
I might be pure and peace-loving,

considerate and submissive, 
full of mercy and good fruit, 
impartial and sincere.

Open Your Word to my eyes and to my heart,

so I will have a steady lamp to light our path.

Strip me of my own agenda and desires, 
so I might look only to others' good

and be absolutely worthy of their trust.

Help me to model everything I teach, 
so others can see the way.

Give me humility to admit my weaknesses 
and confess my wrongs,

so others might do the same.

Draw me again and again into prayer, 
where you can strengthen and correct me.

Make me submissive -- 
help me to show that I myself am under authority.

Help me to treat others as I want to be treated, 
so they may see the essence of your Law.

Make me creative, versatile, and adaptable 
so I can adjust to the surprises ahead.

Help me to accept others as you have accepted me,
 and thus bring praise to your name.

Give me faith and perseverance
 so I will not doubt your provision

or abandon your principles, 
even when others fight against them.

Grant me the gift of encouragement, 
to give others hope and help them believe

that our labor is not in vain.

Help me to model your forgiveness 
so relationships are healed

and your Gospel is revealed.

Grant me discernment 
so that I may read 
the deep waters of others' hearts,

sort fiction from fact, 
and know when it's time to act.

Give me boldness and courage, 
tempered with kindness, 
to confront others in love

so they might see their errors and 
find their way back to you.

Help me to prepare thoroughly 
and not presume upon your grace.

Make me just and fair, 
so that even if people disagree

with my counsel they will believe 
that I treated them well.

In short, Father,

please give me the Spirit of Christ 
so that I might walk in His steps and guide 
Your people Into the path of Your peace.