Thank you, God, for giving the Prince of Peace, your son, to us—the restless human race.
Your peace is an ocean of deep surging that never dries; we dare to approach this great gift of your love.
Our human hearts are often filled with envy, hatred, and violence, but you are peace!
Give us hearts that are still, so that every fiber of our being will be soaked in the river of your peace.
The human race longs to see the face of a healer who will take away all confusion.
You are the fountain of peace. Under your gaze, may our society be enveloped in your peace.
Help us all to look beyond our narrow worlds. Help us to recognize your great human family as our own.
Accepting all differences and barriers, let us grow into the fullness of your peace.
Sister Navya Thattil, OSF
Almighty God,
Creator and sustainer of all life, we come before you to pray for peace and justice.
You have blessed us with a wonderful home: nature is gorgeous and beautiful. People from different cultures come together here. We hear many dialects and languages.
But out of human weakness and because of our egoism, your creation and the coexistence of the peoples are always falling apart. That is why we ask you:
When disquiet reigns and people suffer from conflicts:
Then, God, open the doors of our hearts to peace and to the hearts of other people.
When mistrust and violence grow among us, and hatred arises between nations:
Then, God, strengthen the spirit of unity.
If chaos and confusion frighten us, and propaganda tries to mislead us:
Then, God, give us a heart of peace that guides us safely through these uncertainties.
If we always need new ways to address the problems and concerns of the people and of nations:
Then, God, let us support those who work for justice, equality and peace in our country and around the world.
God, give us your help and let us do what is ours to do against any kind of injustice.
You have promised us your peace and you are a source of new hope and fresh courage for us, your people. For this we ask you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Imtiwala Imchen
(About the author: She is a Protestant theologian, director of the Clark Centre for Peace Research and Action (CCPRA) at Clark Theological College in Nagaland, India)
"Honor Diversity because it is a way that God has made us unique."
Ruthmarie Brooks Silver
A LITANY FOR THE REPAIR OF THE WORLD
In Jewish tradition, tikkun olam ("repair of the world") is a conviction that our obedience to God's commandments will advance God's own action in perfecting all of creation. The concept of tikkun olam aligns with Jesus's teaching on the Great Commandment in the Gospels. As Christians live out their obedience to "love the Lord God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength" and to "love the neighbor as self," we too usher in the reign of God and help repair the world.
Rev. Dr. Tammy Wiens
Associate for Christian Formation - National Office of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
Racial Justice Retreat Series I - Joan Crawford
A Reflection for the Feast of Saint Francis
Our world is full of noise and bustle; many of us live in one-hour increments, shuttling to and from activities, interacting more and more with technology and less and less with others. It is difficult to see the mystical meaning in a leaf, make time to go to a mountain trail or look away from our phone to notice the dewdrop.
Called from his life of wealth, privilege, excitement, and parties to one of simplicity, peace, prayer, and connection with the natural world, Saint Francis provides a model for us. As we celebrate and remember Francis’ love of the earth, care for animals, commitment to the poor and sick, let us use today as an invitation to consider how we might make space, as Francis did, for simplicity, peace, prayer, an nature in our lives.
The great spiritual leaders have consistently taught us that peace is an inside job. By cultivating peace in ourselves, we can become instruments of God’s peace in the world.
Oh, God of peace, you who know us before we were formed in our mother's womb, forgive us when we don’t go beyond our intentions and fall short in committing ourselves to concrete actions for peace and justice.
You, who judge our humanity with mercy, forgive us when we allow your image to be disfigured by our being passive in the face of so much violence and exclusion.
O God of love, you who created us for the purpose of being a great family, forgive us for our inability to reconcile with our fellow human beings—both with our love ones and with our enemies. You, who gave us the gift of speech to be an instrument of transformation, forgive us for the times we have spoken hastily, without thinking about the consequences, or when we remained silent out of fear or indifference.
God of life, you have placed us on this Earth to care for and look after its wellbeing. Forgive us when we failed to care for your world, to protect nature, the house you gave us, the home of our ancestors and descendants. Help us promote life and seek peace. Merciful God, accept our confession and forgive us.
Open our eyes to the causes of injustice and conflict. Make us aware of our capacity to bring about change. Amen.
Lord of lords, you want people to live together in peace. We pray for all those who shape world politics, that they may strive for peace to the utmost of their abilities. Show them how they can resolve tensions and prevent new wars.
Help those who carry responsibility to use their power for the benefit of the people, especially the poor and the disadvantaged, and thus for more justice in the world.
Make us long for a peaceful and non-violent world, and let our faith grow in your goodness. Fill our hearts with your peace so that we are ready to begin our work with ourselves. Amen