Friday, October 21, 2022

For Peace


We grieve for our sisters and brothers in Ukraine. We feel helpless, but we do not despair as we pray for peace. God hears us. We pray that they will be safe and have a future full of hope.

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

We have tried so many times and over so many years to resolve our conflicts by our own powers and by the force of our arms. How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced; how much blood has been shed; how many lives have been shattered; how many hopes have been buried… But our efforts have been in vain.

Now, Lord, come to our aid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and hearts, and give us the courage to say: "Never again war!"; "With war, everything is lost". Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace.

Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love, you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister.  Amen.

Photographs by Brother Brian. Excerpts from a prayer for peace by Pope Francis.