Prayer for the World December 4, 2024
- Dec 3, 2024
- 3 min read
A Call to Non-Violence
Introduction: Today as we begin this Season of Advent, we reflect on nonviolence as a way of living. We are each called to follow the nonviolent Jesus on the road to peace. As Pope Benedict the XVI observed: “For Christians, nonviolence is not merely tactical behavior but a person’s way of being, the attitude of one who is so convinced of God’s love and power that he or she is not afraid to tackle evil with the weapons of love and truth alone.”
Mantra: “Make Me An Instrument” by Kurt Van Sickle
Make me an instrument Lord, of Thy peace…as I let go, as I release.
Make me an instrument humble and free…as I awaken the living Christ in me.
Make me an instrument Lord, of Thy peace…as I give love, love I receive.
Make me an instrument humble and free…as I awaken the living Christ in me.
Reading: From Pope Francis’ Message for the 50th Anniversary of the World Day of Peace:
On this occasion, I would like to reflect on nonviolence as a style of politics for peace. I ask God to help all of us to cultivate nonviolence in our most personal thoughts and values. May charity and nonviolence govern how we treat each other as individuals, within society and in international life. When victims of violence are able to resist the temptation to retaliate, they become the most credible promoters of nonviolent peacemaking. In all situations may non-violence become the hallmark of our decisions, our relationships and our actions, indeed of political life in all its forms.
Silent Prayer
Litany of Non-Violence – Let us pray together:
Provident God, aware of our own brokenness, we ask the gift of courage to identify how and where we are in need of conversion in order to live in solidarity with Earth and all Creation. (Pause for a moment of reflection.)
Deliver us from the violence of superiority and disdain. Grant us the desire, and the humility, to listen with special care to those whose experiences and attitudes are different from our own. (Pause for a moment of reflection.)
Deliver us from the violence of greed and privilege. Grant us the desire, and the will to live simply so others may have their just share of Earth’s resources. (Pause for a moment of reflection.)
Silent Prayer
Litany of Non-Violence – Let us pray together:
Deliver us from the silence that gives consent to abuse, war and evil. Grant us the desire, and the courage to risk speaking and acting for the common good. (Pause for a moment of reflection.)
Deliver us from the violence of irreverence, exploitation and control. Grant us the desire, and the strength to act responsibly within the cycle of Creation. (Pause for a moment of reflection.)
God of love, mercy and justice, acknowledging our complicity in those attitudes, actions and words which perpetuate violence, we beg the grace of a non-violent heart. (Pause for a moment of reflection.)
Silent Prayer
Mantra: “Make Me An Instrument” by Kurt Van Sickle
Make me an instrument Lord, of Thy peace…as I let go, as I release.
Make me an instrument humble and free…as I awaken the living Christ in me.
Make me an instrument Lord, of Thy peace…as I give love, love I receive.
Make me an instrument humble and free…as I awaken the living Christ in me.
Closing Prayer: Let us pray together:
God of peace, thank you for calling us to follow the nonviolent Jesus on the road to peace. Help us to become your holy people of Gospel nonviolence. Disarm our hearts that we might be instruments of your disarming love. Bless us to love one another, to reconcile with everyone, to resist injustice and spread the practice of nonviolence. Give us a new world without war, poverty, nuclear weapons, racism, sexism, global warming or any other forms of violence. Give us your reign of nonviolence here and now. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our brother and our peace. Amen.
Comments