Reflection

Prayer for Peace

As the fever of the day calms towards twilight

May all that is strained in us come to ease. 

We pray for all who suffered violence today,

May an unexpected serenity surprise them. 

For those who risk their lives each day for peace,

May their hearts glimpse providence at the heart of history. 

That those who make riches from violence and war

Might hear in their dreams the crises of the lost.

That we might see through our fear of each other

a new vision to heal our fatal attraction to aggression. 

That those who enjoy the privilege of peace

Might not forget their torment brothers and sisters

That the wolf might lie down with the lamb,

That our swords be beaten into ploughshares

And no hurt or harm be done

Anyway along the holy mountain. 

From Benedictus by John O’Donohue