Today in our prayers for the people of Canada.

Prayer for Peace

Kenneth McLaughlin

O God, Whose Essence is Peace,

We have been taught the Gospel of Luke, wherein Jesus proclaimed
that the peacemakers of every generation are a blessed people, and that they shall
all rightfully be called children of God.

Today we pray for peace throughout the world—from the heights of the mountains
to the depths of the sea. A peace for all you have created. A selfless peace. An
equitable peace. A saving peace.

But our prayers, however earnest, are not enough. Praying for peace is vain unless
we respond by working for peace. Working for justice. Rolling up our sleeves and
doing the hard work that is never completed. Feeding. Clothing. Housing. Healing.
Nurturing. Teaching. Meditating. Protesting. Cradling. Negotiating. It takes all of us. All our skills, time, energy, courage, and desire—regardless of age, gender, faith, color,
culture, personal identity. All of us. All the time.

Peacemaking, O God, leaves us weary unless we receive the sacred balm of your
grace. We need you every hour. And you need us.

We are honored to be called to the task. And in humility we recognize that in return,
we are called your precious children.

We pray in the name of the one who lived and taught your peace, Jesus the Christ.

Amen.