Holy God, you require us to pause and remember the unimaginable ...
At 8:15 a.m. on August 6 and at 11:02 a.m. on August 9, atomic bombs were dropped over the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. You ask that we remember the human shadow imprinted on stone. You ask that we remember the standing charred body of a woman, one leg lifted as though running while clutching a baby to breast. You ask us to remember black rain and children on fire and a little boy calling to his dying brother. Forgive us black rain and the ashes of children. Forgive us the human shadow imprinted on stone. Amen.

—Sacraments and Seasons
Presbyterian Peacemaking Program

(Based in part on Psalm 65)

by Arch B. Taylor, Jr.

Praise is due to You, O God, in all the earth.
Eternal Spirit, Source of all life,
in every heart the impulse to live,
the desire for acceptance,
the longing for community —
To You we raise the prayers which You inspire.

Praise is due to You in heaven and on earth,
for when transgressions overwhelm us, You forgive us.

Spirit of holiness and compassion, look with pity on Your people —
Your people Iraq
Your people Japan
Your people America

Your erring, suffering people everywhere:

wrongdoers and victims
oppressors and oppressed
strong and weak
wrathful and vengeful.

All of us are all of these; we cannot separate them from us.
Spirit of Truth, open our eyes and our minds to the truth.
All flesh must come to you, because of sins.
Truly, transgressions overwhelm us; therefore, forgive!

Spirit of Power, enable us, forgiven, to forgive.
Spirit of Peace, reconcile us to Yourself, and to one another,
till in all the earth we give You the praise that is Your due. Amen.

A retired Presbyterian minister, Arch Taylor served for over thirty years as a missionary in Japan and taught Bible at Shikoku Gakuin University (Shikoku Christian College).

by Rachel Pedersen

Oh God of Mercy and Justice, we are in need of both. We have turned from your commandments. We have scoffed at your word. We have been filled with pride and blinded by our perceived powers. We take the knowledge you have given us and perverted it to destroy your creation. We have turned our back on the suffering of your children and caused harm to others. We have actively worked towards the destruction of your creation. God we deserve your justice, but we desire your mercy. Take us as broken people, transform us and make us whole. Guide us to see all people as your children. Use us, God, that we might take steps to heal the hurt we have caused. Lead us to seek peace. Through Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

The following hymns from the Presbyterian Hymnal may be appropriate for Hiroshima Day worship.

86 - When We are Tempted to Deny Your Son
134 - Creating God, Your Fingers Trace
259 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
267 - O God of Love, O God of Peace
291 - O God of Earth and Altar
367 - Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love
374 - Lord, Make Us Servants of Your Peace
386 - O for a World
401 - When Will People Cease Their Fighting
432 - Canto de Esperanza
450 - O Day of Peace
465 - Here, O Lord, Your Servants Gather
537 - Shalom, Chaverim!