Prayer for the Decade of Nonviolence
I bow to the sacred in all creation.
May my spirit fill the world with beauty and wonder.
May my mind seek truth with humility and openness.
May my heart forgive without limit.
May my love for friend, enemy, and outcast be without measure.
May my needs be few and my living simple.
May my actions bear witness to the suffering of others.
May my hands never harm a living being.
May my steps stay on the journey of justice.
May my tongue speak for those who are poor, without fear of the powerful.
May my prayers rise with patient discontent until no child is hungry.
May my life's work be a passion for peace and nonviolence.
May my soul rejoice in the present moment.
May my imagination overcome death and despair with new possibility.
And may I risk reputation, comfort, and security to bring this hope to the children.
- Mary Lou Kownacki, OSB
ULAF Region
We pray for the power to be gentle; the strength to be forgiving; the patience to understand; and the endurance to accept the consequences of holding on to what we believe to be right.
God of infinite mercy and kindness, with a grateful heart we invoke you today.
May your voice resonate in the hearts of all men and women, when you call them to follow the path of reconciliation and peace and to be merciful like you.
Lord, you address words of peace to your people and to all who convert their hearts to you. Help us break down the walls of hostility and division and build together a world of justice and solidarity.
We entrust to you the young people. In their hearts they have hopes for a brighter future; strengthen their decision to be men and women of peace and heralds of new hope for their people.
Father, you make peace germinate on earth. We pray to you, so that the civil authorities strive to satisfy the just hopes of their people and promote actions for justice and peace. Compel them to work generously for the common good and to respect the dignity of every person and grant them wisdom and perseverance.
Lord of Heaven and Earth, Creator of the one human family, we pray to you for the followers of all religions. May they look for your will in prayer, in the purity of heart, and in practices of love.
Merciful Father, may all believers find the courage to forgive one another, so that the wounds of the past may be healed and not be a pretext for further suffering in the present.
To the Mother of Jesus, the ever-blessed Virgin Mary of Guadalupe,
We ask for her intercession; may she help us hear what Jesus wants us to do at this time in history. May following his example make us be attentive to discover the will of God.
That we all, with one heart and one mind, work together so that the world can be a true home for all. Amen.
Peace and all good!
Based on a prayer by Pope St. John Paul II
Mysterious God,
Your creative Spirit
Creates diversity and liveliness,
She inspires and delights us.
Good God,
Your Spirit is a spirit of peace.
We ask of You:
Strengthen the happiness in our hearts
And the peacefulness in our actions.
And let us recognize with wonder
What your Spirit is doing in this world
And how much we need her,
So that we may do justice to Your wonderful creation
And to each other. Amen
(Pfr. Christian Hartl)
International Leadership Team
O God who promises peace to us if we follow your way, bless us with your grace to
- - accept others with the same love you give to us,
- - presume positive intentions,
- - be open to all we meet,
- - avoid negativity in all we say and do.
Make us brave in calling others to the way of peace through the way we live among them. And give us all this through Christ, your Son, our Prince of Peace. Amen
May
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear,
though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea …—(Psalm 46:1-2 )
Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy
In this time of uncertainty and distress.
Give us strength to comfort the fearful,
To tend the sick, and to assure the isolated of your love.
God of compassion,
In their loneliness, be their consolation.
In their dismay, be their hope.
In their darkness, be their light.
Renew their energy and guide people in their new realities
Guide them with wisdom and strength and discernment.
You are the Prince of peace, Lord of lords, the King of kings.
We praise you for your goodness - Amen
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.—(John 14:27)
U.S. Province
Gandhi’s Prayer For Peace
I offer you peace.
I offer you love.
I offer you friendship.
I see your beauty.
I hear your need.
I feel your feelings.
My wisdom flows from the Highest Source.
I salute that Source in you.
Let us work together for unity and love.