Selection from the 2004 Week of
Prayer for World Peace leaflet

DAY ONE Forgiveness and Reconciliation Do-not fear. He who fears, hates; He who hates, kills; Break your sword and throw it away. (Hindu, Gandhi) 'May peace triumph over discord. (Zoroastrian) We pray for those who have been tragically wounded. people who are taught bitterness towards others nations and individuals with scores to settle. those who cannot allow themselves to forgive. those who are unable to let themselves be forgiven. Back to Week of Prayer for World Peace main page DAY TWO Love and Acceptance            All in this world are my friends; I have no enemies. Let the whole universe be blessed; let all beings be engaged in one another's well-being; let all weakness, sickness and faults be diminished and vanish; let everyone, everywhere be blissful and at peace. (Jain) We pray for: people who are suffering or have suffered any kind of rejection. those who have lost their faith in the healing power of love. people who feel abandoned by their family, homeland or the human race itself. The stigmatised, and those who suffer because of the rules we make to accept somepeople while excluding others; victims of prejudice in any form. divided communities and estranged families. Did He not find you an orphan and give you shelter? Did He not find you in error and guide you? Did He not find you poor and enrich you? Therefore do not wrong the orphan, nor chide away the beggar, But proclaim the goodness of your Lord    (Muslim, Qur'an 93) Back to Week of Prayer for World Peace main page DAY THREE Understanding and Insight We pray for wisdom regarding the nature of human violence. an understanding of our own limitations. discernment to choose the path that leads to peace. awareness of the violence that can lie hidden in our own well-behaved hearts. a vision of peace to inspire hearts and change minds.               Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, give love; Where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy. May I seek not so much to be consoled, as to console; To be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; It is in dying that we are born of the life eternal In thy Blessed Son Jesus Christ our Lord.    (Christian, St. Francis of Assisi) Back to Week of Prayer for World Peace main page DAY FOUR                                            Empathy and Fellow Feeling May it please You to bless all peoples at all times and in all places with Your gift of peace. (Jewish) We pray for all victims of prejudice and misunderstanding of others' motives. those who suffer because of other people's eagerness to condemn. those wounded by the callousness and insensitivity which changes lives. people whose behaviour or attitudes anger others. those unknown sufferers for whom no-one prays. In order to live side by side, it is essential for individuals to have the ability to share the suffering and pleasure of others. (Buddhist, Nikkyo Niwano) Back to Week of Prayer for World Peace main page DAY FIVE Restoration and Renewal       Thy name is healing, Oh my God, and remembrance of Thee is my remedy. Nearness to Thee is my hope, and love for Thee is my companion. Thy mercy to me is my healing and my succour, both in this world and the world to come. Thou, verily, art the All-Bountiful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. (Baha 'i) We pray for those who work to restore what violence has damaged, or replace what it has destroyed. all who seek to relieve distress of body, mind or spirit, whether untrained or technically skilled. courage and determination to discover new ways of serving God within His creation. the precious ability to learn from past mistakes. hope springing in hearts and lives bruised by war.  I We are entering an unparalleled era in history. Never before has there been a global dialogue about the legmacy or illegitimacy of war, and whether or not we have searched for all possible peaceful solutions. The World Peace Flame helps us to recall that peace is always possible when we make the effort to stand firmly, creatively and with respect for all.    (The World Peace Flame) Back to Week of Prayer for World Peace main page DAY SIX Thankfulness We pray for individuals and groups of people dedicated to caring for the natural world. those who take for granted things on which they depend for their own well-being, and ourselves when we do this. those involved in teaching others to give thanks. people whose present pain or past suffering makes thankfulness difficult. all who give heartfelt thanks to God for all His loving care. He did not take my deeds into account, such is His forgiving nature. He gave me His hand, and saved me, and made me His own, forever and ever. I enjoy His love.            (Sikh) Back to Week of Prayer for World Peace main page DAY SEVEN Justice It is not enough to pray for peace. We have to work for it - to denounce injustice, not only when it is committed against us, but also when it is committed against others; to defend human rights, not only our own but also theirs; to insist that peace requires sacrifice. (Jewish, Rabbi John Rayner) We pray for those who strive for social justice throughout the world. people bearing the scars of injustice suffered in the past. victims of inequitable economic systems and exploitative trade agreements. those who risk their own lives by attempting to mediate in other people's quarrels. those who use unjust means in the struggle for justice. DAY EIGHT Compassionate Sharing Did He not find thee erring, and guide thee? Did He not find thee needy and suffice thee? As for the orphan, do not oppress him, and as for the beggar, scold him not; and as for the Lord's blessing, declare it. (Muslim, Qur'an 93) Back to Week of Prayer for World Peace main page

Back to Week of Prayer for World Peace main page