International Day of Peace--A Day of Prayer

PRAYER CHANGES THINGS


"When children pray, God listens. Are we listening?"

On this International Day of Peace I am reminded that we live in one world. Today, many of our world’s citizens are celebrating this one day with the hope of peace eternal. Peace is a concept for the mind, body and spirit. I’m especially grateful that these next few weeks are also symbolic of peace. We celebrate the Jewish New Year and Ramadan. This is a poignant reminder that we CAN walk side by side.

Someone asked that we celebrate this day with prayers, poems and songs. My prayer:

Wake in me, O Lord, the need for another
Prepare in me, O Lord, the way to acceptance
Instill in me, O Lord, true love and compassion

Help me, O Lord, to accept your gifts
And then, O Lord, let me live in thanksgiving for the harmony of this world.

Amen

My Poem:

I look on the faces of my sisters and brothers
To see the desires and dreams in their eyes
I look at the hands of my sisters and brothers
To clasp in fervent prayer for one another

I see beyond the different hues,
The cultural resonance of voices of different lands,
The shapes of eyes, mouths and noses,
And I see the Wisdom that God demands

I listen to the prayers of all
In languages too numerous to count
Chants, songs and silent meditations
Become a symphony of hope for us all

I see each of you
I see God

And my song:

Let us break bread together on our knees
Let us break bread together on our knees
When I fall on my knees,
With my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, Have mercy on me

Let us clasp hands together on our knees
Let us clasp hands together on our knees
When I fall on my knees,
With my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, Have mercy on me

Let us sing songs together on our knees
Let us sing songs together on our knees
When I fall on my knees,
With my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, Have mercy on me

Let us praise God together on our knees
Let us praise God together on our knees
When I fall on my knees,
With my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, Have mercy on me

And my final prayer:
Lord, have mercy on all of us. On this International Day of Peace, let us remember that we are each in need of your mercy and love. That we are in need of your compassion and grace and that in giving it to us, we will return the favor by giving it to others.

A blessed and hopeful International Day of Peace. P.K.