Prayer

Litany of Peace

Rev. Rose Edinigton
Co-Minister, UU congregation of Kanawha Valley, West Virginia

(It is hoped that people of many faith traditions will find this litany helpful  You are welcome to use it as it is, or to delete some statements, or to add other statements from you faith tradition and repeat the response:  'Let us therefore follow after the things that make for peace' after your additions.)

(Based on the Christian scripture "Let us therefore follow after the things that make for peace."
I Corinthians 14:19)


The ways of wisdom are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace. (Proverbs)
Let us therefore follow after the things that make for peace. 

God is the author of peace and the lover of concord. (Psalms)
Let us therefore follow after the things that make for peace.

Peace is not an absence of war; it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice.   (Spinoza)
Let us therefore follow after the things that make for peace.

There is enough in the world for everyone to have plenty to live on happily and to be at peace with their neighbors.  (Harry S Truman)
Let us therefore follow after the things that make for peace.

The young dead soldiers do not speak.  Nevertheless they are heard... who has not heard them?  They say:  We were young.  We have died.  Remember us.  (Archibald MacLeish)
Let us therefore follow after the things that make for peace.

Since wars begin in the minds of people, it is in the minds of people that the defenses of peace must be constructed.   (UNESCO constitution)
Let us therefore follow after the things that make for peace.

(Conclusion -- St. Francis)
O Creator of Peace, make us an instrument of Peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow 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 our prayer be for peace, shalom, salaam.  Amen.

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