"We would ask Catholics, along with all people of good will, to spend some time next Tuesday, praying and reflecting on the need for peace in the Middle East; of the need for respect of universal human dignity and the priority of human wellbeing over ideology; for consolation for all those who have suffered loss and are forced to live in fear; and for a renewed effort by all parties to resolve differences by negotiation and bring about a just peace to the region."
 
"Recently, Pope Benedict pointed out that 'hatred and violence are not the solution to problems' and called on all those involved to 'take courageous decisions in favour of peace' we echo and endorse these calls and pray that they will be heard"
 
Prayer for Peace in the Middle East
We come to you, God Creator.
You are the source of life and beauty and power.
Your son Jesus is the way of faith and hope and love.
Your Spirit is the fire of love, the fount of wisdom, the bond of unity.
You call us at all times to be people of the beatitudes, Witnesses to the Gospel of peace and love and forgiveness.
You call us at this time, when war and rumours of war, weigh heavily on the peoples the Middle East.
Their lives are already broken by suffering and violence.

We renew our acceptance of your call.

We promise to work:
To bring the light of the Gospel to those living in darkness, To bring the hope of the Gospel to those living in despair, To bring the healing of the Gospel to the lonely, the disadvantaged, the marginalized, And to bring the peace of the Gospel to a divided world.
Amen.

Pax Christi
God Our Creator, who made the earth a peaceful garden, help us restore that peace wherever it has been broken by terrorism and injustice, especially in the Middle East.
We repent for the times when religious language has fostered hatred and division. . . .
Bring healing to those whose lives
have been shattered by violence.
Instill a renewed spirit of reconciliation in those who lead our people politically and religiously. . . . Amen
 
Bidding Prayer:
 
Lord God, remember all your children, particularly in the lands which saw the birth of the three great faiths of the Book: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Help them to overcome fear and violence, to live in mutual respect and harmony and to feel the fullness of the Peace /Shalom / Salaam at the root of their traditions.
 
 
With other resources at http://www.ncccusa.org/iraq/peaceprayers.html
<http://www.ncccusa.org/iraq/peaceprayers.html>