[Note: As it appears that PastorDan is taking another week off from his Virtual Pulpit, I’m taking it upon myself to fill in again for the weekly prayer/meditation session…]
Blessings and peace to all of you in the name of [insert deity here].
Peace…
What is it?
Where is it?
Whether it be in the deserts of Iraq, the transit stations of Britain, the mean streets of the urban jungle, the virtual thoroughfares of the blogosphere, or in the quiet desperation of our daily lives, peace seems greatly needed…and very distant at times.
I’ve found a series of prayers for peace from varied traditions:
O Great Spirit of our Ancestors… Give us the wisdom to teach our children to love, to respect, and to be kind to each other so that they may grow with peace in mind.
Let us learn to share all the good things that you provide for us on this Earth.
In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful.
Praise be to the Lord of the Universe who has created
us and made us into tribes and nations that we may know each other, not that we may despise each other.
Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, that we
may walk the paths of the Most High.
And we shall beat
our swords into plowshares, and our spears into pruning
hooks.
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation.
Neither shall they learn war anymore.
And none shall be afraid.
May all beings everywhere plagued with sufferings
of body and mind quickly be freed from their illness.
May those frightened cease to be afraid, and may those
bound be free.
May the powerless find power, and
may people think of befriending one another.
O God, lead us from the unreal to the Real.
O God, lead us from darkness to light.
O God, lead us from death to immortality.
Shanti, Shanti, Shanti unto all.
Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity…
be a lamp unto those who walk in darkness and a home to the stranger.
Be eyes to the blind, and a guiding light unto the feet of the erring.
Be a breath of life to the body of humankind, a dew to the soil of the human heart, and a fruit upon the tree of humility.
For the Human Family
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son:
Look with compassion on the whole human family;
take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts;
break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love;
and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth;
that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In the quiet of your hearts, please add your own prayers for peace or other petitions; if you wish, please share them with the community in the space below.
Namaste