ULAF Region
God of love, give us a heart full of peace that reaches all people and do not allow us to forget that we are ambassadors of peace in this world. Help us understand that inner peace cannot be found just because one desires it. Peace is a measure of power in our daily need. Peace is a consciousness that arises from springs so deep that earthly droughts cannot exhaust. Peace is a gift. It is not the result of willpower but of spiritual hospitality. Give us, Lord, the gift of peace to be the true instruments of peace and love. Amen. "
European Province
“Loving God, we watch and listen to the news full of inner turmoil. We wish for peace in North Africa and the Middle East and other conflict regions of the Earth. We are depressed because our power is so small and ask ourselves: Is there really anything we do? Lift us up so that we do not despair. Strengthen us, God, on our journey to peace. Let us say and do what is right. Transform our powerlessness into loving care and help us find the right words. Unleash in us your spirit of love and reconciliation so that we may become instruments of your peace. Amen.”
St. Francis Province, North India
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid” ([John – 14 : 27).
O Lord our God, creation sings your majesty. Every good things comes from you. You are ever faithful to hear us and answer our prayers. Dear God, our world is hurting and broken. We know that in whatever we face, you are our peace and refuge, and a very present help in times of trouble. O Lord, order the course of this world in peace, that your church may joyfully serve you extending your peace to everyone. O blessed Jesus may there be peace in me, in our home, in our society and in our world. Help us to find the good in every person you place in our lives and on our paths, so that we may always strive to remain in peace with everyone. We ask you to fill our world with your peace in order to help your children to live in harmony and love. Let your peace heal the broken world, drive away hatred and evil and spread your peaceful and Godly presence everywhere. Amen.
Assisi Province, South India
Loving Lord, our hearts are crying for peace in the world. We hold in confidence and prayer the collective suffering of our world at this time of the pandemic. Send forth the breath of your Spirit to blow out the dust of delusions and fill our hollow hearts again with peace. Shower on us the peace that Jesus promised to his disciples and make us steady pillars for those around us. In this time of uncertainty and epidemic, wake us up to the reminder that we are not alone. Give us new eyes of faith, new voices of hope and new hearts to love. We pray for Mother Earth, that she may recover from the exhaustion and devastation we have caused her to suffer. May we discover from nature how to resist this coronavirus and how to renew ourselves and our lifestyles while we restore the beauty and diversity of God’s Creation. May we all realize the serenity and splendor of your dwelling among us. Amen.
International Leadership Team
A Prayer for Peace & Calm
May today there be peace within.
May you trust your highest power that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that you are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance.
It is there for each and every one of you.
Amen.
-Teresa of Avila
Lord, make me an instrument of your holy discomfort
Where there is privilege, let me sow equity,
Where there is violence, let me work for peace,
Where there is division, let me seek unity,
Where there is racism, let me pursue racial justice,
Where there is environmental degradation, let me care for creation,
Where there is political discord, let me seek the common good,
And where there is economic inequality, let me seek justice.
O God of Justice, grant that I may not so much seek comfort,
as to welcome hard truths,
To be heard, as to listen,
To hold power, as to empower,
To seek control, as to follow,
For it is in humility, that we learn,
It is in seeking forgiveness, that we are reconciled,
And it is in dying to self, that we are born to new life.
Amen.
By Daniel P. Horan, OFM, PhD