Church
Litany for Peace
by Joe Wadsworth
Framed within the Lord's Prayer
- L: Gracious God; timeless and Ageless God; you have commanded us to love our enemies. You yourself gave your life for those who were motivated by hatred.
- P: Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name....
- L: You have watched humanity fight and scrap. You have watched with sadness as your creation is hoarded and divided for spoil under the guise of dominion. Help us seek your will in our lives. Make us your ambassadors as well as your disciples.
- P: ... Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven....
- L: You sent your only Son so that your people; All your people, might truly know of your love and of your peace. That we might fully understand your AGAPE, your SHALOM. In a time of war, our hearts need your assurance and your presence confirmed. Our leaders need to sense your power is the strengths they employ.
- P: ... Give us this day our Daily Bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors...
- L: It is so easy to reap a harvest of anger and revenge. Our hearts so easily fill with rage and discord. When war rages, sometimes our patriotism supersedes our mandate for peace and reconciliation. Forgive us our anger and grant us hearts of renewing peace. Help us be mirrors of your life even in times of discord.
- P: ... For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever...
- L: And so, Lord God of Creation, Savior of the World, we pray for a new chapter of peace to open. Before the momentum of hatred eclipses our strength to control it, grant us peace within. Create in us a clean heart and peaceful mind. This is the nature of your Kingdom; this is the basis of your power, and this is the joy of your Glory. Give us peace.
- All: Amen
CREATE PEACE BY…
Open doors of the church for at least one day of the week for afterschool activities
Teach Conflict Resolution in Sunday school courses
Encourage parishioners to break the ―Code of Silence‖
Hold prayer gatherings or peace vigils that promote violence free communities and/or violence prevention
strategies in religious sermons/gatherings
Encourage church members to become Block Club captains
Work with other churches, civic clubs, community groups, fraternal organizations, etc. with initiatives for
peace
Faith groups can ask congregation members to support local youth violence prevention activities
