Prayer Service for Peace Prepared by Pauline Krupa
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Prayer Service for Peace Prepared by Pauline Krupa For the Ontario Provincial Council
Let us pay attention to our breathing. Let us be relaxed in our bodies and our minds. Let us return to ourselves and become wholly ourselves. Let us maintain a half-smile on our faces. Let us beware of the source of being common to us all and to all living things. Evoking the presence of the Great Compassion, let us fill our hearts with our own compassion – towards ourselves and towards all living beings. Let us pray that all living beings realize that they are all brothers and sisters, all nourishes from the same source of life. Let us pray that we ourselves cease to be the cause of suffering to each other. Let us plead with ourselves to live in a way which will not deprive other beings of air, water, food, shelter, or the chance to live. With humility, with awareness of the existence of life and of the sufferings that are going on around us, let us pray for the establishment of peace in our hearts and on earth. Amen
Peace is flowing like a river, flowing out of you and me, Flowing out into the desert Setting all the captives free. Love is…. Hope is…. Alleluia….. Peace is…. Reader
When it is hard for us to find peace in our hearts, peace with our neighbour or peace in the world, we turn to Jesus, Prince of Peace to show us the way. Let us take the next few minutes to reflect on Jesus’ message of peace. Let us think about how Jesus calls us to live this message: by praying for peace, by working for peace and becoming makers of peace, as sons and daughters of God. At this time, we will light the Christ candle. This Christ candle reminds us that Jesus is our Light who guides our feet in the way of peace. Jesus guides us to peace through his word and through those he calls to lead us in our walk of faith. ( goes over and lights the candle) Opening Prayer Lord Jesus, You said to Your disciples, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” You know how much our world needs Your gift of peace, yet in so many places there is war and conflict. Help us through the power of the Holy Spirit to transform human hearts to give a people in the world a desire for peace as we pray:
God of peace, you sent your Son Jesus into the world to show us the way to a true and lasting peace. Help those who are at war to long for peace. Open their minds and hearts as well as our own so that all people might hear the Lord’s message of peace and allow it to take root in our lives. We ask you this in His name. Amen Reading Isaiah 2: 2 – 5 A reading from the Prophet Isaiah (Is 2, 2-5) In days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, “Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord! The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Response (from the World Council of Churches) You have called us to be one, to live in unity and harmony, and yet we are divided: race from race, faith from faith, rich from poor, old from young, neighbour from neighbour. O Lord, by whose cross all enmity is brought to an end, break down the walls that separate us, tear down the fences of indifference and hatred; forgive us the sins that divide us, free us from pride and self-seeking, overcome our prejudices and fears, give us courage to open ourselves to others, by the power of Your Spirit make us one. Amen. Hymn Peace Prayer (verse 1, 2) Lord, make me a means of your peace. Where there’s hatred grown, let me sow your love. Where there’s injury Lord, let forgiveness be my sword. Lord, make me a means of your peace.
Where there’s doubt and fear, let me sow your faith. In this world’s despair, give me hope in you to share. Lord, make me a means of your peace. Gospel Matthew 5: 1 – 11
A reading from the Gospel of Matthew Glory to you, O Lord. When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” The Word of the Lord. Praise to you Lord, Jesus Christ. Hymn Peace Prayer (Verse 3, 4) Lord, make me a means of your peace When there’s sadness here, let me sow your joy When the darkness nears, make your light dispel our fears Lord, make me a means of your peace. Lord, grant me to seek and to share. Less to be consoled that to help console Less be understood that to understand your good Lord, make me a means of your peace. Prayer of the Faithful Let us pray for the Church, that it will always be a faithful sign and instrument of Christ’s peace. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. Let us pray for our bishops, pastors, religious and all who guide us in our Catholic faith, that they might have the wisdom and courage to preach the peace of Christ’s Gospel with their lives. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. Let us pray for the world, that the peace of Christ might take root in every human heart, and put an end to all forms of violence, greed and division. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. Let us pray for our world leaders, that the Holy Spirit might guide them to promote the peace and understanding of Christ’s Gospel. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. Let us pray for all persons who suffer due to war and violence, that they might find hope in people’s efforts to bring Christ’s peace to the world. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. Let us pray for ourselves, that we might become peace-makers with our families, our neighbours and communities. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. Credo for Peace Let us unite all our intentions as we pray together the Credo for Peace All We believe in God: a communion of three Persons, a communion of Life, a communion of Love, communion of Peace. We believe in Jesus: God and human, Prince of Peace.
The Good News, God’s message of peace.
rose and sent us the Holy Spirit so we could live in his peace. We believe in Baptism that makes us one family in Jesus, crucified and risen from the dead to lead us to eternal peace. Jesus is our hope. Through him, we pray for peace; With him, we work for peace. In him, we live for peace: he peace of God’s children to the glory of God. Amen.
Lord, you sent your Son Jesus into the world that we might enjoy your peace always. Give us the strength to live as your children and be makers of peace. Grant that all peoples might put aside their differences, and seek the unity of your Kingdom. We make this prayer to you in Jesus’ name. Amen. Hymn Peace Prayer (Verses 5, 6) Lord, grant me to seek and to share To receive love less than to give love free Just to give in you, just receiving from your tree Lord, make me a means of your peace. Lord, grant me to seek and to share To forgive in you, you’ve forgiven me. For to die in you is eternal life to me. Lord, make me a means of your peace. |