Prayer for Peace in the Holy Land

"Once again the violation of human rights led to insecurity and conflict in Lebanon and in the Middle East region in a vicious cycle that continues to disrupt peaceful coexistence. The Holy See is convinced that this vicious cycle can be broken if reason, good will, trust in others, implementation of commitments, and cooperation between responsible partners are allowed to prevail. . .

"The Holy Father Benedict XVI, while reaffirming that peace is a gift from God, has repeatedly called for an immediate cease-fire, for the opening of humanitarian corridors to bring help to the suffering populations whose human right to life, food, health, water, housing, is now a priority, and for a prompt start of reasonable and responsible negotiations to finally end objective situations of injustice existing in the region.

"The Universal Declaration of Human Rights reminds us that peace is the basic condition for the respect and enjoyment of all human rights. In this context, the Lebanese people have a right to the integrity and sovereignty of their country; the Israeli people have a right to live in peace in their own state; and the Palestinian people have a right to have a free and sovereign homeland. . .

In conclusion, Mr. President, the Holy See is deeply convinced that no just and durable solution can be reached by recourse to terrorism or armed conflict and only dialogue is the way to peace and to the safeguard of human rights."

- Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, permanent observer of the Holy See to the U.N., "Peace is the Basic Condition for Human Rights," Address to the U.N. Human Rights Council, Aug. 11, 2006

O God,

The guns are now silent in Lebanon.
The bombs have ceased to explode.
The air is tense
with waiting
uncertainty
insecurity.

From ravaged lands, destroyed by war,
Your peoples lift their hands to you.
They pray for this stillness to last.
They fear that it will not.

O God, our maker,
Father of Abraham, from which three great religions stemmed.
We pray for peace.

We pray for peaceful existence between Israelis, Lebanese and Palestinians.
We pray negotiations which can reach the roots of historical conflicts.
We pray for a commitment to human rights by all sides and the protection of all lives.
We pray for effective international intervention to ensure justice for all sides.
We pray for humanitarian aid and rebuilding where destruction has occurred.
We pray for an end to war and death.

Grant us this, peaceful God.
Grant us a peaceful world. Amen.

Prayer by Jill Rauh, Education for Justice