A Prayer for Peace

I come to you, as all do, imperfect.

I can only begin by thanking you for my immense imperfection.
It is one of the many powerful sources of unity that bind us to one another, as well as to you.

I come with aspirations which I trust you will be pleased to see us reach.
They are things I know we must strive for if we are to leave this world acceptable in your eyes, as well as the eyes of our children.

May we know that those who partake in evil acts or wish us harm are only as flawed as we,
For their perspectives we can never hope to fully understand.

May we know that violence and that from which it stems can only give birth to more violence,
For those who are weary will always be driven to violence if it is all they know others will understand.

May we seek to more deeply understand the wisdom laid before us in the natural world that we strive to protect from harm,
For it has given and continues to give us life.

May we seek to understand the struggle of the tree which grows from sheer rock,
For it has made its way without regard for convention, and grows more sturdy than that which grows in the heart of the grove.

May we know that our love of money negates our love of you and of one another,
For money has never solved a problem that love and kindness could not.

May we understand that fear, hatred, jealousy, pride and love are inseparable,
For they are only different manifestations of the same emotion, the power of which is incalculable.

May we be honest with one another as well as with ourselves,
For it is through manipulating, omitting and ignoring that which we know to be true that we separate ourselves from you and from one another.

May we seek to honor those who profess and practice love among us,
For they will always strike great fear in those who profit from fear.

May we never place blame on others for our shortcomings and instead face them bravely and honestly,
For the it is in calmly and sincerely recognizing and addressing our faults that we rectify them.

May we know the immense strength of kindness that comes without stipulation,
For we know in our hearts that it is the only kind of love worth giving or receiving.

May we bring kindness to all things to the center of our lives,
For it renews us and never fail us.

May we accept the responsibility to create a world determined to bring about peace through love, kindness and compassion.
For it will not only honor you, but it will honor all those who are living, have lived, and ever will live.

Amen.