Weekly Peace Prayer
for January 20, 2026
prepared by
Sister Carmel Little, CSJP
We Commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Constitutions:
As the biblical tradition has linked the pursuit of justice
with the gift of peace, so we believe
that the promotion of justice
is integral to our mission and spirituality. #14
Reading:
Today we stand at a new crossing place. We live in a society marked strongly by the violence of war, violence to people through poverty and a sense of powerlessness and alienation, violence to earth, sea, and sky – violence that is truly cosmic. In response we commit ourselves to grow more deeply toward a nonviolent way of being and acting as peacemakers.
Seeds of Peace – Acts of the 21st General Chapter
of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace
Prayer: Psalm 85
We will hear what God proclaims: for God proclaims peace.
God proclaims peace to the people and to the faithful ones,
and to those who put their trust in God.
Kindness and truth shall meet; Justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
Quiet Reflection
Constitutions:
Recalling Jesus’ identification with the prophetic tradition,
we develop a critical, sensitive conscience regarding religious, social, cultural,
economic, and political realities, and we direct our efforts to actions
which bring peace through justice. #23
Reading:
“A democracy cannot thrive where power remains unchecked and justice is reserved for a select few. Ignoring these cries and failing to respond to this movement is simply not an option — for peace cannot exist where justice is not served.”
John Lewis said of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act
Reading:
“Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on.”
Thurgood Marshall, 1978 University of Virginia
commencement speech
Prayer
Give us, O God, the vision which can see Your love in the world in spite of human failure.
Give us the faith to trust Your goodness in spite of our ignorance and weakness.
Give us the knowledge that we may continue to pray with understanding hearts.
And show us what each one of us can do to set forward the coming of the day of universal peace.
Frank Borm
Quiet Reflection
Gracious God, source of all blessings,
we ask your blessing on our leaders.
Bless them with wisdom, honesty and compassion
so that they can lead the United States
from death to life,
from falsehood to truth,
from despair to hope,
from fear to trust,
from hate to love,
from war to peace,
and may peace fill all hearts
may peace fill our world.
may peace fill our universe.
Based on World Peace Prayer
.