Prayers of the People, A4B

God of mercy and compassion,
be present with your people,
with the descendants of David
and with the descendants of Ishmael.
Surround your children with your steadfast love.
Let your faithfulness be evident to all.
Comfort your people, we pray,
moving in and among and through them
-- through all of us --
with your peace.
Hear our prayers, O God!
Bring your healing balm to those who grieve.
Stand as a shield between those who would do harm
and those who are in harm's way.
Protect the most vulnerable.
Grant mercy to captives in the spirits
of their captors.
Ease the tensions between warring factions.
Educate those who blindly choose a side.
Remind us all that we are children of Abraham ...
siblings in the one family of God's people
across the earth,
and help us to love as we are loved.