RESPONSIVE READING

 

Peace Is Possible

 

Jesus, friend and companion

Help us to show

Through the way we live,

Through our actions and words

That peace is possible 

We pray to believe that peace is possible 

 

Give us the strength and courage

To confront evil

And to believe in love 

We pray to believe that love is possible 

 

Show us how to fight injustice

Without losing heart

Show us how to live a full life

Without becoming cynical or indifferent 

We pray to believe that justice is possible 

 

Jesus, our friend

We pray for hope

And the faith to believe

In a better world. 

Amen.

 

( © Linda Jones/CAFOD -- used with permission)

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

God of Peace, over the ages You have called us to live as peacemakers. 

You have called us to be a shalom people. 

You have called us to be Children of God. 

We confess that we have not always lived out this calling. 

We do not want to face the difficulties of being called Your disciples. 

We take the easy way out. We avoid controversy. 

We don’t speak out when we know we should. 

For these things we ask Your forgiveness. 

We confess that we are too tolerant of conflict and violence. 

We depend on our own power and position to settle differences instead of asking for Your wisdom. 

Forgive us, Gracious God. 

We ask that Your Spirit guide us to act with loving grace and peace. 

Be with us in our continuing efforts to live like children of the One who gave himself for the sake of others, 

And help us consider the other above selfish interests.  Amen. 

 

(adapted from The National Council of Churches, “Prayers for Peace,” www.ncccusa.org/Prayers.html)

 

Prayer for Shalom

 

Source of Shalom, God of Peace:

Grant shalom to Your people,

And let shalom spread to all Your creatures.

Let there be an end to hatred, jealousy,

And competition between people.

Let there be only great love and shalom between us all,

So that we can all gather together –

United as sisters and brothers in Christ – 

Speaking to each other 

And learning the truth from one another.

Source of Shalom, God of Peace, 

Bless us with Shalom.  Amen. 

 

(adapted from NGO/DPI Executive Committee, “Promoting Respect for Cultural Diversity in Conflict Resolution,”  www.ngodpiexecom.org/conference06/download/speeches/Friday/Regev.pdf) 

 

Liturgical Prayer

 

In the midst of conflict and division,

We know it is you

Who turns our minds to thoughts of peace.

Your Spirit changes our hearts:

Enemies begin to speak to one another,

Those who are estranged join hands in friendship,

And nations seek the way of peace together.

 

(from U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, “Liturgical Prayer,” www.usccb.org/liturgy/prayerssunreadings.shtml)

 

Blessed Are the Peacemakers

 

Blessed are you peacemakers, 

Who say no to war as a means to peace.

Blessed are you peacemakers, 

Who seek to resolve conflicts in the spirit of shalom.

Blessed are you peacemakers, 

Who wage peace at heroic personal cost.

Blessed are you peacemakers, 

Who challenge and confront judges, courts, & prisons.

Blessed are the peacemakers, 

Who help those who are hurting.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

Who do not live to themselves, but unto the Lord.

Blessed are the peacemakers, 

Who befriend perfect strangers.

Blessed are the peacemakers, 

Who open doors for acting justly, 

Loving tenderly and walking humbly with God

And all people of good will.

Blessed are the peacemakers, 

Who welcome, encourage, and inspire.

Blessed are the peacemakers, 

Who offer hope and healing.

Blessed are the peacemakers, 

Who care and comfort.

Blessed are the peacemakers, 

Who help find answers.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

Who provide stability not insanity.

Blessed are the peacemakers, 

Who help restore faith and love.

Blessed are the peacemakers, 

Who delight in creation, art, & creativity.

Blessed are the peacemakers, 

Who see the good in others.

Blessed are the peacemakers, 

Who never give up.

Blessed are the peacemakers, 

Who give and give and give.  Amen.

 

(adapted from Pax Christi, “Prayers and Liturgy,”  www.paxchristi.org.uk/litgy.HTML)