Prayer for the World January 7, 2026
- Victory Noll Sisters
- Jan 6
- 3 min read
Message of Pope Leo XIV for the 59th World Day of Peace
January 1, 2026
INTRODUCTION
From the words of Pope Leo XIV,… “Peace be with you all: Towards and ‘unarmed and disarming’ peace. Peace be with you. This ancient greeting, still in use today in many cultures, was infused with new life on the evening of Easter on the lips of the risen Jesus. “Peace by with you” is his Word that does not merely desire peace, but truly brings about a lasting transformation in those who receive it, and consequently in all of reality. And I would like to reiterate that this is the peace of the risen Christ – a peace that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering. It comes from God who loves us all unconditionally.”
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.
Message of the Holy Father Leo XIV for the 59th World Day of Peace – January 1, 2026
Dear brothers and sisters, whether we have the gift of faith or feel we lack it, let us open ourselves to peace! Let us welcome it and recognize it, rather than believing it to be impossible and beyond our reach. Peace is more than just a goal; it is a presence and a journey. …Peace is a principle that guides and defines our choices….Although many people today have hearts ready for peace, they are often overcome by the sense of powerlessness before an increasingly uncertain world.
In today’s world, justice and human dignity are at an alarming risk amid global power imbalances. How can we live in this time of destabilization and conflict, and free ourselves from evil? We need to encourage and support every spiritual, cultural and political initiative that keeps hope alive, countering the spread of fatalistic terms. We must promote self-awareness in civil societies, forms of responsible association, experiences of nonviolent participation, and practices of restorative justice on both a small and large scale….Goodness is disarming!
SILENT PRAYER
INTERCESSIONS
For the courage to embrace nonviolence in our everyday lives, we pray…
Hear us, O God.
For the vulnerability for each of us to look deeply at our own complicity that allows violence to continue in our own hearts and in our world, we pray…
Hear us, O God.
For women and children who are most greatly affected by poverty and violence, we pray…
Hear us, O God.
For the people of Venezuela, and all people and places on our Earth that are experiencing disruption and conflict, we pray…
Hear us, O God.
For an end to war, poverty, starvation, racism, and all of the “isms” that keep us separated from one another, we pray…
Hear us, O God.
For care, respect and protection for our immigrant, refugee, and migrant sisters and brothers, we pray…
Hear us, O God.
For care for our Earth, and for the gift and sacredness of all Creation…
Hear us, O God.
For leaders around the world, that they might find ways to bring an end to war and violence, and promote peace and development for all nations…
Hear us, O God.
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
Mary, Queen of Peace, we entrust our lives to you. Shelter us from war, hatred and oppression. Teach us to live in peace, to educate ourselves for peace. Inspire us to act justly, to reverence all God has made. Root peace firmly in our hearts and in our world.
Amen.
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