A Prayer for Peace 70 Years after World War II
Let us pray to God, the Lord of this world.
At this time, 70 years after World War II, we repent of Japan's cooperation in the execution of that war and the great pain we caused the many countries of Asia. In order that this might not happen again, we pray oh God that you will give us grace and strength to be able to reach out to make real peace, so now, at this time, we seek your compassion and guidance.
Recently, many constitutional scholars have been pointing out violations of the Constitution, and even though many citizens are anxious about Cabinet decisions to exercise the collective right of self-defense, the government is trying to pass a national security bill in the Diet for that purpose.* We lament this and desire the realization of true peace in which "swords are turned into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks" (Isaiah 2:4), and we especially pray that government officials might humble themselves so that their hearts might be drawn to the thoughts of the citizens and that they will be able to orderly manage the government.
Our hearts ache whenever we hear some government officials say arrogantly that the freedom of discussion should be ended in spite of the cries and pain of the Okinawan people upon whom have been placed so many burdens.
We pray that those in power who are saying contemptuously, "those with differing opinions should be punished," without listening to different opinions might be given the careful listening minds.
We pray that government officials might be aware that they should use their political power according to the will of the people and that they might listen to the people, know the pain of the people, respect the people, and serve the people.
We repent that we have become indifferent and lacking in understanding of human rights and political issues under the thoughts of caring only ourselves. We have fallen into the sin of putting economics first.
We ourselves have fallen into the sin of putting economics first, holding to the thinking that whatever is good for us is good for all. We repent of the fact that we have become indifferent and lacking in understanding of human rights and government. Give us hearts that will receive the cries and pain of others as our own. We pray in the name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. Amen. (July 13, 2015) (Tr. RT)
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* Editor's note: The Abe government forced the bill through in September.
戦後70年 にあたって平和を求める祈り
私たちは今、世界の主な る神に祈ります。
私たちは戦後70年にあ たって、アジア・太平洋戦争時、日本の戦争遂行に協力し、多くのアジア諸国の民に多大な苦しみを与えたことを悔い改め、二度と同じ過 ちを犯すことがないために、真に平和を造り出すことができる知恵と力を与えてくださるように、今この時、神の憐みと導きを祈り願いま す。
今、日本は、多くの憲法 学者が憲法違反と指摘しており、多くの国民が懸念しているにもかかわらず、集団的自衛権の行使容認を閣議決定し、そのための安全保障 法案を国会で議決しようとしています。私たちはそのことを憂い、「剣を打ち直して鋤とし、槍を打ち直して鎌とする」（イザヤ書2章4 節）平和の実現を願い、為政者が謙遜になり、国民の思いに心を寄せ、秩序をもって政治を司ることができるよう切に祈ります。
また、国政に責任を負う 者の中に、多くの重荷を負わせられている沖縄の人々のうめきや痛みをかえりみず、言論を封じようとする発言があることに心が痛むと共 に、為政者のおごりを感じます。異なる意見に耳をかさず、懲らしめなければならないとうそぶいている(開き直っている)権力の担い手たちが、異なる意見を真摯に聞 く心を与えられるよう祈ります。為政者が、権力を担うことは民意の委託であることを覚え、民に聴き、民の痛みを知り、民を尊び、民に 仕える心が与えられるよう祈ります。
私たちは、私たち自身が 経済性を優先させる罪に陥り、自分だけが良ければ良いとする思いをもって政治や人権に対して無理解・無関心となっていたことを悔い改 めます。私たちに他者の痛みや嘆きを自らのものとして受けとめる心を与えてください。
平和の君イエス・キリス トの御名によって祈ります。 アーメン（2015年7月13日常議員会）
