Peace prayer
Lead me from death to life,
from falsehood to truth.
Lead me from despair to hope,
from fear to trust.
Lead me from hate to love,
from war to peace.
Let peace fill our hearts,
Let peace fill our world,
Let peace fill our universe.- adapted from the Upanishads by Satish Kumar
Quiet time
There are times not to answer the door, not to answer the phone, not to do undone things, but to rest in silence from everything. The world can wait five minutes. In fact, no matter how busy we are, no matter how well organized, no matter how little rest we allow ourselves, we will never do all that needs to be done. But to do well what we are called to do, it is essential to nurture a capacity for inner stillness. Such quiet, deep-down listening is itself prayer.
- Jim Forest
Peace prayer
Dear God,
we give thanks for places of simplicity and peace.
Let us find such a place within ourselves.
We give thanks for places of refuge and beauty.
Let us find such a place within ourselves.
We give thanks for places of nature's truth and freedom,
of joy, inspiration, and renewal,
places where all creatures may find acceptance and belonging.
Let us search for these places in the world,
in ourselves,
and in others.
Let us restore them.
Let us strengthen and protect them
and let us create them.
May we mend this outer world
according to the truth of our inner life
and may our souls be shaped and nourished
by nature's eternal wisdom.
Amen.- Leunig