An Evening Prayer for Peace

The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow

It has been a long but productive day

Reflecting on a personally very busy and emotional weekend

Reflecting on this nation and world

Praying for Peace

Praying for stamina

Praying for wisdom

In my reading this evening these words of Thomas Merton stood out to me

Mercifully hear this prayer which rises to You from the tumult and desperation of a world in which You are forgotten, in which Your name is not invoked, Your laws are derided, Your presence is ignored… Help us to be masters of the weapons that threaten to master us. Help us to use our science for peace and plenty, not for war and destruction… Grant light, Grant strength and patience to all who work for peace. **

Now as my eyelids grow heavy

I lift this humble prayer to you

Dona Nobis Pacem

Grant Us Peace

A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…

** Merton—A Prayer for Peace—excerpt from a prayer read in the House of Representatives on April 12, 1962 (Wednesday in Holy Week)

The Non-Violent Alternative, pp. 268-269)