PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
SEPTEMBER 21, 2006
(FEAST OF ST. MATTHEW)

For use at the celebration of the Eucharist or at the Liturgy of the Hours

Presider: In peace let us pray to the Lord, who calls us as he did the apostles and evangelists to a life of witness.

Reader: In the first reading to the Ephesians, we are exhorted to live in a manner worthy of the call we have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. May our Church grow in fulfilling this call; let us pray to the Lord:
All: Lord hear our prayer.

Reader: As we celebrate to the feast of St. Mathew, may we heed the call of the Gospel to strive to be people of mercy and compassion, let us pray to the Lord:
All: Lord hear our prayer.

Reader: In the Gospel of Matthew we read that Jesus came as Emmanuel, God-with-us. May we as members of the Society of Mary be faithful witnesses to this faith reality and thereby contribute to peace by what we say and what we do, let us pray to the Lord:
All: Lord hear our prayer.

Reader: In the Gospel of Matthew we read: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” Let us pray for those working to bring about peace in the Middle East, in Iraq, in Darfur and in other troubled areas of our world, let us pray to the Lord:
All: Lord hear our prayer.

Reader: Like the apostles and evangelists may we contribute to the spread of the Gospel of peace to all the world:
All: Lord hear our prayer.

Reader: For what other intentions should we pray (pause for additional intentions). Let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord hear our prayer.

Presider: (pray based on the Words of Pope John Paul II)

Great and merciful God,
Lord of peace and life,
You have plans for peace, and not affliction.
You condemn wars
and defeat the pride of the violent.

You sent your Son Jesus
to preach peace to those near and far,
to gather people of every race
and nation into a single family.
Hear the single-hearted cry of all humanity:
no more war, a spiral of death and violence,
a threat against all your creatures
in heaven, on the earth and in the sea.

In communion with Mary, the Mother of Jesus,
once again we implore you:
Speak to the hearts of those responsible
for the fate of peoples,
stop the ‘logic’ of revenge and retaliation,
with your Spirit suggest new solutions,
generous and honorable gestures,
room for dialogue and patient waiting
which are more fruitful than
the hurried deadlines of war.

We make this prayer through Jesus Christ,
the Prince of Peace,
now and forever.

Amen.