Weekly Peace Prayer

Constitutions:
With reverence for the blessings of creation, we use our resources,
both individually and collectively, in a spirit of stewardship.
The spirit of poverty also calls us to work for a more just society
so that all may be enriched by a more equitable sharing
in the goods of the earth.  #56

Reading
Earth is a revelation of God and the sustainer of all life.
We recognize that the exploitation and destruction of Earth’s
air, water, soil and species is a sacrilege.
We are committed to a spirituality of peacemaking
which compels us to live in right relationship
with the entire community of life. 
‍ ‍Chapter Acts 2008

Prayer:
O our Mother the Earth, blessed is your name.
Blessed are your fields and forests, your rocks and mountains,
your grasses and trees and flowers, and every green and growing thing.
Blessed are your streams and lakes and rivers, the oceans where life began,
and all your waters that sustain our bodies and refresh our souls.

Blessed is the air we breathe, your atmosphere that surrounds us
and binds us to every living thing.
Blessed are all creatures who walk along your surface
or swim in your waters or fly through your air, for they are our relatives.

Blessed are all people who share this planet, for we are all one family,
and the same spirit moves through all.
Blessed is the sun, our day star, bringer of the morning
and the heart of summer, giver of light and life.

Blessed is the moon, our night lamp, ruler of the tides,
protector of all women, and guardian of our dreams.
Blessed are the stars and planets, the time-keepers,
who fill our nights with beauty and our hearts with awe.

O Great Spirit whose voice we hear in the wind
and whose face we see in the morning sun, blessed is your name.
Help us to remember that you are everywhere,
and teach us the way of peace.
‍ ‍Earth Prayers,Helen Weaver

Quiet Reflection

What I Saw As A Child   
When I was a child I thought of the world around me
As a magical place
With small spirits darting through my grandmother’s garden
Like fireflies at night
Unseen voices whispering stories
From the branches of the old cottonwood tree
And angels flying over the house
To chase the billowing storm clouds away.

All of these images and a thousand more
Filled with the spirit world in which I lived.

But now I am older.
So I have come to understand reality.
And what I understand is this:
I was absolutely right about what I saw as a child,
Because I still see it now.
I still live in a spirit world.  I hope you do too.
‍ ‍Steven Charleston

Quiet Reflection

Prayer:    Peace to Our Earth Prayer 
Peace to this earth, this gift of creation,
which we celebrate with joy and with reverence.
In the spirit of the first Francis, may we take time to see
the radiance of creation, this gift of light and liquid 
and green growth.