God of love, hear the cries of children around the world. Hear the mourning, screams, silent voices of fear and pain. How many tears and how much more blood will bring us a sense that we are all your children, no matter what race, nationality, religion, class and gender? God of mercy, forgive our sins of selfishness and insecurity that make us seek self-protection and power over others first. Grant us courage today to listen to your call of protecting, nurturing, and loving the most vulnerable ones among us so that we may be a messenger of your peace in the world. by Rev. Hikari Kokai Chang, Regional Missionary, Wesley Foundation in Japan