Weekly Peace Prayer

Constitutions:                       
Our call to peacemaking  permeates all aspect of our lives together.
It seeks expression in mutual love and concern.
It challenges us to accept and share our gifts and empower others to do likewise.
It pervades our prayer and calls us to a life of simplicity and service. #15

Reading:
Many of us find it difficult to imagine ourselves causing harm in the world. But with no ill will or malicious intent, we may inadvertently cause harm to other people, animals, and nature.  Becoming conscious of the effects of our choices can enable us to stop contributing to the damage.

We can begin by becoming aware of everything we buy, eat, drink, wear, and use.  We can ask ourselves what we are sending out into the world’s air, water, land, and consciousness.  If we don’t know, we can find out. Everything we do has some impact for which we are responsible. We can change our habits to lessen the burden on the earth and to treat other people with compassion. Living as harmlessly as possible, we lessen the total harm done.  If enough of us did this, think of the difference it could make. 
‍ ‍Green Spirituality, Veronica Ray

Prayer:           Peace (Psalm 85)
                        O God, you have given us a beautiful earth—
                        Grant us the wisdom to use it well.
                        Lead us to an inner life in which we can rejoice.
                        Speak peace to us that we may live in peace.
                        May your mercy and truth meet together.
                        Righteousness and peace kiss each other,
                        surrounding us with your light.
                        Help us know true prosperity,
                        and be gentle with your Earth.
                        Guide our feet in the ways of peace.
‍ ‍Psalms for a New World

Quiet Reflection

Poem

Loving the earth               
Loving the earth, seeing what has been done to it,
I grow sharp, I grow cold.
Where will the trilliums go, and the coltsfoot?
Where will the pond lilies go to continue living
their simple, penniless lives, lifting
their faces of gold?
Impossible to believe we need so much
as the world wants us to buy.
I have more clothes, lamps, dishes, paper clips
than I could possibly use before I die.
Oh, I would like to live in an empty house,
with vines for walls, and a carpet of grass.
No planks, no plastic, no fiberglass.
And I suppose sometime I will.
Old and cold I will lie apart
from all this buying and selling, with only
the beautiful earth in my heart.
‍ ‍Mary Oliver  

Quiet Reflection

Prayer:

Wind of God, blow far from us
all dark despair,
all deep distress,
all groundless fears,
all sinful desires,
all Satan’s snares,
all false values,
all selfish wishes,
all wasteful worries.

Wind of God, blow into us
your holy presence,
your living love,
your healing touch,
your splendid courage,
you mighty strength,
your perfect peace,
your caring concern,
your divine grace,
your boundless joy.
‍ ‍Kenya    Excerpt Prayers
‍ ‍Encircling the World, Pamela Wildin