Interfaith Prayer Service for Peace

  1. Prelude:

 

  1. Welcome:

 

III.        Acknowledgements:

 

  1. Call to Remembrance and Prayer:          Chaplain …

 

  1. Scripture Readings from Major Faith Traditions:

Jewish Tradition:                     Isaiah 2:3-4

Christian Tradition:                John 15:13                       .

Muslim Tradition:                  Qur’an: 2:148

Hindu Tradition:                   Rig-Veda

Buddhist Tradition:                Dhammapada, Verses 331-333

 

  1. International Prayers for Peace and Solidarity from the Five Continents:

From:  A World on Its Knees: Honest Prayers in Uncertain Times

(Compiled by Madonna Therese Ratliff, FSP)

Africa:          Peace in Any Language        Augustine, Congo

America:       Native American Prayer          Author Unknown

Asia:            Sixth-Century Peace Prayer    Lao-tse, China

Australia:      This Heavy Hour of War        Thecla, Australia

Europe:            Ancient Celtic Blessing          Author Unknown

 

VII.     Time of Remembrance:

Song:               We Shall Overcome                 Mahalia Jackson

 

VIII.    Concluding Prayer:                               Chaplain …

God of love, inspire those in power to act justly in sharing resources,

To govern with love,

To resolve problems through dialogue,

To respect human rights,

To promote the welfare of the entire human family.

 

  1. Closing Song:

 

 

  1. Scripture Readings from Major Faith Traditions:

 

 

Jewish Tradition:        Isaiah 2:3-4

Many peoples shall go and say:

“Come, let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord, to the House of the God of Jacob;

that He may instruct us of His ways, and we may walk in His paths.”

For instruction shall come forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Thus He will judge among the nations, and arbitrate for the many peoples.

They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation shall not take up sword against nation; they shall never again know war.

 

 

Christian Tradition:      John 15:12-13

This is My commandment: love one another as I love you.

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

 

 

Muslim Tradition:       Qur’an:  2:148

To each is a goal to which Allah turns him;

Then strive together toward all that is good.

Wheresoever you are, Allah will bring you together.

For Allah has power over all things.

 

 

Hindu Tradition:         Rig-Veda

May we come together for a common purpose.

May our minds be of one accord.

Let us join our thoughts for integrated wisdom,

Like the great ones who excelled because of unity.

Common be our prayer, common our goal;

Common be our purpose, common our deliberation.

Let us be inspired by a common ideal.

Let us worship the Divine with the offering of harmony and unity.

Common be our desires. Unified be our hearts.

United be our intentions. Perfect be the unity amongst us all.

 

 

Buddhist Tradition:      Dhammqapada, Verses 331-333

When a need has arisen, friends are a blessing.

A blessing is contentment with whatever is.

A blessing is the wholesome deed at the end of life.

A blessing is to relinquish all sorrow.

A blessing in the world is reverence for mother.

A blessing, too, is reverence for father …

A blessing is virtue into old age.

A blessing is faith established.

A blessing is the attainment of insight-wisdom.

A blessing it is to refrain from wrong doings.

 

 

 

  1. International Prayers for Peace and Solidarity:

 

Africa:           Peace in Any Language                                      Augustine, Congo

Gracious Creator, give us peace:

Peace in our families and peace among families,

Peace in each country and peace among countries,

Peace in each continent and peace among continents,

Peace in each religion and peace among different religions,

for we are all your children.

 

America:        Native American Prayer: Growing in Peace        Author Unknown

O Great Spirit,

Give us the wisdom to teach our children to love,

to respect, and to be kind to each other,

so that they may grow with peace in mind.

Let us learn to share all good things

That you provide for us on this earth.

 

Asia:             Sixth-Century Peace Prayer                         Lao-tse, China

If there is to be peace in our world,

there must be peace in our nations,

If there is to be peace in our nations,

there must be peace in our cities.

If there is to be peace in our cities,

there must be peace between neighbors.

If there is to be peace between neighbors,

there must be peace in our homes.

 

Australia:       This Heavy Hour of War                   Thecla, Australia

Father, bring peace to Your children!

Guide our national and international leaders.

Enlighten and direct them.

Help them to make the right decisions.

Throughout this dear, vast land of ours,

lay Your hand on each of us,

and together with national leaders,

help us to offer peace to each other,

and peace to those who desire to join us,

in making this land a loving, joyful, and compassionate place.

 

Europe: Ancient Celtic Blessing                              Author Unknown

You are the peace of all things calm

You are the place to hide from harm

You are the light that shines in the dark

You are the heart’s eternal spark

You are the door that’s open wide

You are the guest who waits inside

You are the stranger at the door

You are the calling of the poor

You are the light, the truth, the way

You are our guide along our way.

 

  1. Call to Remembrance and Prayer:

 

We remember and pray for all those whose lives have been affected by the ________event, the immediate victims and their loved ones

  • The emergency service personnel who gave their lives trying to rescue the victims
  • Our service men and women who responded to the call to protect our nation, especially those who lost their lives or were injured while doing so, especially those who were treated here at _________.
  • In a special way, we remember and pray for all our employees and their family members who answered the call to protect and serve our country/community.
  • For all peacekeepers and advocates for peace, that their mission on behalf of a peaceful world be accomplished soon

Gracious and loving God, hear our prayer

 

Adapted from the September 11th Tenth Anniversary Commemoration Service, Joan C. Horgan. D. Min., BCC,

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