General Intercessions for Peace

Diocese of San José

For the Church that cries for peace: for steadfast commitment to the Gospel; for prayerful discernment of God’s will; for the peace of Christ to dwell in our hearts. We pray to the Lord.

For the world that stands on the brink of war: for organization that work for peace where peace seems most unattainable; for wisdom and courage for all political leaders. We pray to the Lord.

For all people of faith: for peace between people of different religions; for peace among those who share the same faith; for reconciliation and healing that will one day lead to unity. We pray to the Lord.

For the Diocese of San José: for peace in our parishes; for peace in our neighborhoods and streets; for peace in our homes; for peace within each human heart. We pray to the Lord.

For all who must fight when there is no other choice: for all military, medical, and rescue personnel; for courage and safety; for a quick return home. We pray to the Lord.

For all who are affected by our choices: for the poor and the voiceless; for children in the womb and the elderly in homes and hospitals; for those living in war-torn countries and those waiting on death row; for life and peace for all God’s children. We pray to the Lord.

Intercessions for Peace Based on the Beatitudes

PRESIDER: God is the source of all peace, wisdom and knowledge.

Let us lift our prayers for our world to our loving Father.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven: for all who have died because

of violence and war; for the angels to carry them safely to the arms of God. We pray to the Lord.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted: for all who are separated from loved

ones because of war and for all who are saddened in this time of distress. We pray to the Lord.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy: for those involved in acts of terrorism

and violence; for continued efforts at reconciliation and healing; for God’s mercy upon them. We

pray to the Lord.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God: for our church, national, and world leaders; for the courage to bear the cross of peace; for wisdom to prevent even more death. We pray to the Lord.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied: for the safety of all military personnel; for national and local organizations that work for peace; for peace in our homes and on our streets. We pray to the Lord.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven: for those wrongly accused; for their protection; for the eradication of hatred and discrimination in our words and actions. We pray to the Lord.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land: for all who are sick and suffering, including those we now name (long pause). We pray to the Lord.

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God: for family and friends who have died, including those we now name (long pause). We pray to the Lord.

PRESIDER: Lord God, you are attentive to the voice of our pleading.
Let us find in your Son comfort in our fear,

certainty in our doubt, and courage to live in peace.
Make our faith strong through Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer of Blessing for Those Deployed to Serve in the Military

Lord and Holy Protector,

you called Abraham and Sarah to leave their homeland

and to journey far away from their own people.

Yet you kept them safe wherever they went.

Protect our children, our husbands and wives,

our mothers and fathers, and our friends and loved ones

who now must leave to fight in this war.

Walk by their side and calm any fear;

Be their companion and guide their thoughts;

Encircle them with your light, and keep them from harm;

And when their service is ended, lead them safely home again.

For you, O God, are our shelter in every storm

and our refuge in times of danger.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Litany For Peace

Response: “Give peace in our time, O Lord.”

- For the church in the world, we pray…

- For the people of the United States, we pray…

- For the people of Iraq, we pray…

- For all the children, we pray…

- For those who serve in our military, we pray…

- For those they will fight, we pray…

- For the United Nations, we pray…

- For international federations of labor, industry, and commerce, we pray…

- For departments of state, ambassadors, diplomats, and world leaders, we pray…

- For worldwide agencies of compassion, which bind wounds and feed the hungry, we pray…

- For all who in any way work to further the cause of peace and goodwill, we pray…

For common folk in every land who today may live in fear, we pray…

Adapted from The Wideness of God’s Mercy: Litanies to Enlarge Our Prayer, Vol. 2, Jeffery W. Rowthorn, #120 - World Peace, from “The Worshipbook”, page 192-193. Reprinted with permission.

For more information, contact the Associate for Liturgy,

408/983-0136 – .