By William Rounds, archived

The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord life up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

Eternal God, your act of creation brought peaceful order out of chaos. We ask for your multiplying blessings upon our efforts as peacemakers.

We long for a peaceful world; a world of justice and mercy; a world of forgiveness and love. Remind us that such a world must begin in our hearts and minds; must spread through our families and then through an ever-widening circle of friends, neighbors, communities, and nations.

Forgive our unpeaceful acts of self-centeredness and greed. Challenge us to try again to be more peaceful in all our relationships.

Grant us in our hearts that peace that passes understanding and bless us in our desire to share that peace with our neighbors throughout this day.

This is our prayer in the name of the one who stilled the wind and waves with a word, even Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer Phrase

“…our inner nature is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).

Spiritual Practice

Renewal for The Journey

Gather a small bowl of water. Begin by lighting a candle. Spend 5–10 minutes in silence. Focus on your breath, feeling the warmth of the candlelight. Think about the blessings in your life and the people you cherish. Allow yourself to feel the emotions associated with each blessing and person. Dip your fingers in the bowl of water and sprinkle a few drops around the candle. Visualize releasing any negativity or burdens from the past year, welcoming a sense of renewal and clarity for the year ahead. Reflect on how you can carry this spirit into the new year.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.