Sacred Space

Prayers for Peace

Blessing of Peace-healing
(From 'The Little Book of Celtic Blessings')

Deep peace I breathe into you,
O weariness, here:
O ache, here!
Deep peace, a soft white dove to you;
Deep peace, a quiet rain to you;
Deep peace, an ebbing wave to you!
Deep peace, red wine of the east from you;
Deep peace, grey wind of the west to you;
Deep peace, dark wind of the north from you;
Deep peace, blue wind of the south to you!

Deep peace, pure red of the flame to you;
Deep peace, pure white of the moon to you;
Deep peace, pure green of the grass to you;
Deep peace, pure brown of the earth to you;
Deep peace, pure grey of the dew to you;
Deep peace, pure blue of the sky to you!

Deep peace of the running wave to you,
Deep peace of the flowing air to you,
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you,
Deep peace of the sleeping stones to you,
Deep peace of the Yellow Shepherd to you,
Deep peace of the Wandering Shepherdess to you,

Deep peace of the flock of stars to you,
Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you,
Deep peace from the heart of Mary to you,
And from Brigid of the Mantle,
Deep peace, deep peace!

Bonnie Brennan (Ireland)

A Prayer for Peace

God who listens and hears when we pray, we know that You walk with us on our journey through life. You have told us that You are with us always. Help us to believe in a just world, help us to dream a new vision, help us when we stumble and do not know the way forward. May a passion for peace burn in us and through us, may it warm the hearts of those around us, nourishing hope and overcoming fear. Celebrating One World [adapted]

Patricia Orr (Great Britain)

Prayer

Jesus, Prince of Peace may the Peace of Forgiveness always reside in me. On waking I say to you, dear Jesus - Please be with me in all I think, say and do during this day. I offer my sleep to awake refreshed and with your help, Jesus, and that of those I come in contact with to endeavour to be an instrument of Peace. Amen.

Clare Markham (Australia)

Peace prayer

O God, give us peace:

• with mercy on those we call our friends and enemies, and even on ourselves
• with justice for those affected by poverty, sickness, and ignorance
• with dedication to practical steps to relieve misery and address its causes
• with insight to build collaboration in these efforts among diverse individuals and groups

O God, in your mercy give us:

• a sense of urgency: "The poor need help today, not next week!" (Catherine McAuley)
• a willingness to take action
• an openness to change our hearts and our comfortable routine
• a conviction that we are not called to be successful, but only faithful (Mother Teresa)

S. Gratia L'Esperance (Americas)

From the Outback

During this week a special effort is being made in this far flung outback town to pray for Peace. Some of our Mercy Associates and other parishioners gather at the Church each afternoon after work to pray the Rosary for world peace. It's good to know that we are linked to others who are also praying for peace.

Sr. Dawn Furse (Winton, Queensland, Australia)

Prayer

Creator God, holding all creation in the great hands of your heart,give us the wisdom and courage to reach out beyond the narrowness of our fears and the chains of mistrust.
You teach us through Jesus that peace comes through the risk of loving. We pray now at this time of war and rumours of war that you continue to give us the compassion and courage to pray and work for peace, and to be open to the possibilities when minds are closed. Guide our feet on the road to peace.
Amen.

Sr. Bernadette Roche RSM (Croydon, England)

Prayer for Peace

Circle us O God to keep peace within. Help us realize that true peacemaking will only become a reality in our world, our cities and our homes if firstly we hold peace in our hearts. When we have inner peace we can then go out to others in compassion. God of peace be with us in our circling.

Therese Power, RSM (Ballarat, Austraila)

Prayer for Peace - Sisters of Mercy of the Americas

January 30, 2003

Loving God, you inspire us with love for all persons
and concern for the well-being of all creation.

Give us today the strength and courage
to transform the compassion of our hearts
into acts of peace, mercy, and justice.

Forgive us for the arrogance that leads to moral blindness,
for desires for vengeance and retaliation,
and for willingness to sacrifice others for our own security and avarice.

Help us to renounce all forms of violence:
prejudice, unfair allegations, intolerance, and injury.

Give us the courage to resist threatening postures,
calls to arms, mobilization of troops and weapons, and
all actions that threaten the lives and livelihoods of innocent people.

Empower us to live out the caring presence
of the merciful and generous persons we claim to be.

Make us channels of your peace, bearers of healing,
women and men who hear and respond with alacrity
to pleas for justice in our world.

We ask all this in the name of Jesus
Who came among us to show us the way. 

PRAYER FOR PEACE Sophia, Wisdom of God you are there in the midst of the broken relationships, tyranny and oppression of our world in this new millennium. Touch our apathy, lighten our powerlessness, heal our bitterness and anger, show us how to care for one another and find your love and mercy in the shadows of impending war. Let me be light and love in my community this day. Let wisdom illumine my world.

Paula M Smith rsm
On behalf of the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia

From the Sisters of Mercy, Dunedin, Aotearoa/New Zealand:

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