Prayer for Peace in Our Communities and the World

This prayer is dedicated to the victims of the shooting at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007, and their loved ones.

Hear our voices, for they are the voices of the victims of violence.
We cry to you, O God of Peace.

Hear our voices, for they are the voices of all who suffer when even one person acts in hate.
We cry to you, O God of Peace.

Hear our voices, for we acknowledge the brokenness of community, the separation within the human family, that allow hatred to flourish.
We cry to you, O God of Peace.

Hear our voices, when we beg you, Lord, to instill in all human hearts the wisdom of peace and the presence of solidarity.
We cry to you, O God of Peace.

Hear our voices, for we speak for the multitudes in every community, in every corner of the world, who do not want violence but are ready to walk the road of peace.
We cry to you, O God of Peace.

Hear our voices, and grant us insight and courage so we may always respond to hatred with love, to alienation with drawing into community, and to violence with peace.
We cry to you, O God of Peace.

Amen.

Inspired by a prayer for peace by Pope John Paul II