peace

Prayers and Reflections for Peace

Interreligious prayers at Hiroshima Peace Park

 

Hindu: Lead me from the unreal to Real; Lead me from darkness (ignorance) to Light (knowledge) Lead me from death to Immortality. Om Peace. Peace. Peace.

Jewish: Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, that we may walk the paths of the Most High. And we shall beat our swords into ploughshares and our spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation—neither shall they learn war any more. And none shall be afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of Hosts has spoken.

Baha'i: When love is realized and the ideal spiritual bonds unite the hearts of men, the whole human race will be uplifted, the world will continually grow more spiritual and radiant, and the happiness and tranquillity of mankind be immeasurably increased.
Warfare and strife will be uprooted, disagreement and dissension pass away, and Universal Peace unite the nations and peoples of the world. All mankind will dwell together as one family, blend as the waves of one sea, shine as stars of one firmament, and appear as fruits of the same tree. This is the happiness and felicity of humankind. This is the illumination of man, the glory eternal and life everlasting; this is the divine bestowal.

Native American: Oh Great Spirit of our Ancestors, I raise my pipe to you.To your messengers the four winds, and to Mother Earth who provides for your children. Give us the wisdom to teach our children to love, to respect, and to be kind to each other so that they may grow with peace of mind. Let us learn to share all good things that you provide for us on this earth.

Christian: Blessed are the PEACEMAKERS for they shall be known as the children of God. But I say to you that hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.To those that strike you on the cheek, offer the other one also, and from those who take away your cloak, do not withhold your coat as well. Give to everyone who begs from you, and of those who take away your goods,do not ask for them again. And as you wish that others would do to you, Do so to them.

Jain: Peace and Universal Love is the essence of the Gospel preached by all Enlightened Ones. The Lord has preached that equanimityis the dharma. Forgive do I creatures all, and let all creatures forgive me. Unto all have I amity, and unto none enmity.
Know that violence is the root cause of all miseries in the world. Violence, in fact, is the knot of bondage. "Do not injure any living being."This is the eternal, perrenial, and unalterableway of spiritual life. A weapon, howsoever powerful it may be, can always be superseded by a superior one; but no weapon can penetrate the power of peacePeace is invincible. Peace is the weapon of the brave.

Muslim: In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful.Praise be to the Lord of the Universe who has created us and made us into tribes and nationsThat we may know each other, not that we may despise each other. If the enemy incline towards peace, do thou also incline towards peace, and trust God, for the Lord is the one that heareth and knoweth all things. And the servants of God, most gracious are those who walk on the Earth in humility, and when we address them, we say "PEACE".

Buddhist: May all beings everywhere plagued with sufferings of body and mindquickly be freed from their illnesses. May those frightened cease to be afraid, and may those bound be free. Many the powerless find power, and may people think of befriending one another. May those who find themselves in trackless, fearful wilderness – the children, the aged, the unprotected – be guarded by beneficial celestials, and may they swiftly attain Buddhahood.

Read some examples of religious reflections on peace.

Read some Peace quotes

 

Contents / Introduction / Prayers / Peace or Conflict / Peaceful Relations / Peace Issues / Conflict / Reconciliation / Peace Initiatives / Messengers of Peace / Summary / Inspiration /Real Peace/ Resources