Today in our prayers for the people of Vanuatu.

Prayer for Peace

Donald V. Lents

O God, our divine ally, accept our thanks for the privilege of continuing in your presence these few moments as our minds turn to the need for peace in the world and in our local communities as well as in ourselves.

Many prayers ascend to you daily with humble petitions for peace as the central theme.

It has been our privilege on many occasions to observe and enjoy the benefits of peace when humans have responded to you and worked together to this end. Our desire to assist in this ongoing endeavor continues to be our commitment.

Many years ago your son, in his Sermon on the Mount, spoke to many people and gave that which, in the intervening years, became known as the Beatitudes. Today, as we pray, we recall a few of those inspired expressions that help us to realize the privileges of our responsibilities in the peace-making undertaking.

Lord:
Help us to be the poor in spirit.
Help us to be the meek.
Help us to be the merciful.
Help us to be the pure in heart.
Help us to be peacemakers.

Grant, O Lord, your arms of love to encircle all as we work together in fulfilling our stewardship of peaceful existence. Accept our thanks for this privilege of talking with you as we reflect, as well as anticipate, the joys and the satisfaction of peaceful relationships. We share this prayer in the name of the great peacemaker, Jesus Christ. Amen.