Weekly Peace Prayer
for December 30, 2025
prepared by
Sister Carmel Little, CSJP
Constitutions:
Christ is our peace, the source of our power.
United with him we engage in the struggle
against the reality of evil and continue the work
of establishing God’s reign of justice and peace. #2
Reading:
Amazing Peace
In our joy, we think we hear a whisper.
At first it is too soft. Then only half heard.
We listen carefully as it gathers strength.
We hear a sweetness.
The word is Peace.
It is loud now.
Louder than the explosion of bombs.
We tremble at the sound.
We are thrilled by its presence.
It is what we have hungered for.
Not just the absence of war. But true Peace.
A harmony of spirit, and comfort of courtesies.
Security for our beloveds and their beloveds.
We, Angels and Mortals, Believers and Nonbelievers,
Look heavenward and speak the word aloud.
Peace. We look at each other, then into ourselves,
And we say without shyness or apology or hesitation:
Peace, My Brother.
Peace, My Sister.
Peace, My Soul.
Maya Angelou (excerpt)
Prayer: God who created light that your children might walk in light and live an abundant life, we come before you in faith and in hope that even now the nations might choose to walk in light and put aside warfare and killing. Drawn to the light of this candle we make bold to pray that you will touch the hearts and minds of world leaders afresh. May the councils of the powerful yield to your everlasting wisdom. Wherever wars and rumors of war abound may your Peace and understanding quiet all fears and animosities. May you give new and powerful gifts of courage and leadership to those who speak and work for Peace. Help us to confess that war in this time is a mark of our failing one another and contrary to your will. In these days of anxiety and preparation for war stand by us and make us strong that we might not be paralyzed by fear but rather empowered to speak on behalf of Peace, work for Peace, pray for Peace, and live in Peace each with one another. Amen
National Council of Churches
Quiet Reflection
Prayer for New Year
Creator God, When you became one of us in the person of Jesus, we believe that you made the most powerful statement of all time. You speak with deeds-we speak in words. In becoming one of us, you said "If you want to know what I look like in your world, look at people." People are the most profound expression of God in our world of space and time. And so human beings, each in a unique and most precious way -not by what they do or what they say, but simply by their presence - makes a statement unique to him or herself about God.
If this be true, at this, the start of a new year, we ask that we as individuals and as a nation commit ourselves to respecting the God in every human being, no matter how cleverly each has disguised him. Help us so to respect one another that war and violence become as antiquated as dinosaurs. In our highly complicated world, awaken us to the wisdom of the prophet. "There is only one thing God asks of you. This alone, to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with your God."
Rev. Mark DeNardo
Pastor, St. Patrick Church, Cleveland, Ohio
Quiet Reflection
Blessing
Bless us Gracious God,
And bless the time and seasons of this New Year.
Bless us with joy in your presence.
Bless us with gratitude for life and the wonders of your creation.
Bless us with hope that all will be well.
Bless us with courage to meet the challenges of this year.
Bless us with an appreciation of beauty.
Bless us with an openness for truth.
Bless us with a sense of humor in the ambiguities of life.
Bless us with the desire to work for justice.
Bless us with hearts longing to walk in the way of peace.
Bless us with love for You, for all people and all creation.
Faithful God, we thank you for the gift of this New Year.
Help us to live it faithfully, joyfully, and generously.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
.