Summary: Jesus is the only source of true peace.

A Priest's Prayer for Peace

1. Jesus,
you are our peace,
the only source of true and lasting peace,
with holy joy,
both gifts of the Holy Spirit.

2. "Peace and joy" many Franciscans say when they meet one another,
a greeting nearly 800 years old, inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi,
who sent his brothers to Guido, the bishop of Assisi, and the Poestà
(mayor) to dissolve their quarrel. And at their singing:
"Praised be you, my Lord, through those who give pardon for your love,
and bear infirmity and tribulation.
Blessed are those who endure in peace
for by you, Most High, shall they be crowned."
And the two former foes humbled their hearts, became reconciled and
embraced each other, restoring their former friendship. Harmony and
peace prevailed.
(Canticle of the Creatures, 10-11; Assisi Compilation, 84)

3. In my priestly ministry, I often have the occasion to wish people piece,
in a face-to-face encounter or by phone,
deep inner peace
which chases fears and worries and heals both soul and body.

4. You alone, Jesus, can heal this world with its strifes and wars, its
hatred and terrorism, its selfishness and oppression.

5. You, Lamb of God, give us peace,
not as a lying world offers it,
but as a gift divine which you share with all who hunger and thirst
after genuine peace.

6. All the peoples and their governments, all the races, cultures,
languages and religions can only find true peace through you.

7. May September 11, 2004, be a day of peace,
not merely a remembrance of evil and destruction,
a day of solidarity among the nations,
a day of hope for all religions,
a day of conversion where all people turn to you and through you find
the Father, the source of all good.

8. Jesus, both Man and God, you made peace for us all on the Cross,
conquering all evil, all sin, even death.
We praise you, our divine peace-maker.

9. May we, all men and women of good will, become your instruments to
realise peace,
first of all in our own hearts,
then in our families, our neighbourhoods, our countries,
so that your peace, the only genuine peace, may reign throughout the earth.

10. You are our peace, and obtained it once and for all.
Forgive us that, after 20 centuries of Christian faith on earth, we,
your disciples, are still at war with each other,
still not understanding your message,
still ignoring what you did for us and for the world.

11. May the messages of peace of our our holy Pope John Paul II be more
read and taken seriously. As your Vicar, Lord Jesus, may his words
penetrate more deeply into our hearts and stir us to action for the
benefit of all people. May his voice herald throughout our lands and move
our hearts
for he speaks in your name.

12. Bless us, dear Jesus, with your peace, now and forever. Amen.