The liturgy is a cycle of prayers for peace, all traditional except for the pagan prayer. (Pagans don't have traditional written prayers, I am told by the priestess.) I used it for a service on the first anniversary of the Iraq war. We started off with the Bible readings below and interspersed the prayers with readings of soldiers' names--the dead, the wounded, the living who still served. Afterwards we wrote postcards to servicemen and women, because faith without works is truly dead. 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 who strike you on the cheek offer the other 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 them again. And as you wish that others would to do you, do so to them.
I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse: therefore choose life.
Pagan Prayer by the Priestess Oceana BearHawk Gods and Goddesses of my Ancestors, Good and Blessed Ones, My heart is open, my mind is now clear Fill me with love Fill me with peace Heal Your children, Earth Mother Heal Your children, Grandmother Moon Light the way, Father Sun Make light my steps, and steady my feet Kuan Yin, Goddess of Compassion, Teach me to love without measure Love my friends and those who would call me enemy with this beating heart Make my hands busy with Your work Give voice to peace in all lands Through my voice Speak Your Truth With my lips Sing forth the music that will heal all forever Use me now, As I walk this life, Loving Mother, in Your service Today and for all days to come.
Hindu Prayer for Peace O Lord God Almighty may there be peace in Celestial regions. May there be peace on earth. May the waters be appeasing. May herbs be wholesome, and may trees and plants bring peace to all. May all beneficent beings bring peace to us. May thy Vedic Law propagate peace all through the world.
Buddhist Prayer for Peace May all beings everywhere plagued with sufferings of body and mind quickly be freed from their illnesses. May those frightened cease to be afraid and may those bound be free. May the powerless find power, and may people think of befriending one another. May those who find themselves in trackless, fearful wildernesses-- The children, the aged, the unprotected-- Be guarded by beneficent celestials, and may they quickly attain Buddhahood.
Zoroastrian Prayer for Peace We pray to God to eradicate all the misery in the world: that understanding triumph over ignorance, that generosity triumph over indifference, that trust triumph over contempt, and that truth triumph over falsehood.
Jainist Prayer for Peace Peace and Universal Love is the essence of the Gospel preached by all the Enlightened Ones. The Lord has preached that equanimity is the Dharma. Forgive do I, creatures all, and let all creatures forgive me... A weapon, howsoever powerful it may be, can always be superseded by a superior one; but no weapon can, however, be superior to nonviolence and love.
Jewish Prayer for Peace 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. Nations 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.
Shinto Prayer for Peace Although the people living across the ocean surrounding us, I believe, are all our brothers and sisters, why are there constant troubles in this world? Why do winds and waves rise in the ocean surrounding us? I only earnestly wish that the wind will soon puff away all the clouds which are hanging over the tops of the mountains.
Native African Prayer for Peace Almighty God, the Great Thumb we cannot evade to tie any knot: The Roaring Thunder that splits mighty trees; the all-seeing Lord up on high who sees even the footprints of an antelope on a rock mass here on earth. You are the one who does not hesitate to respond to our call. You are the cornerstone of peace.
Native American Prayer for Peace O Great spirit of our Ancestors, I raise my pipe to you; To your messengers in 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 in mind. Let us learn to share all good things that you provide for us on this Earth.
Muslim Prayer for Peace 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 nations that 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."
The Baha'i Prayer for Peace Be generous in prosperity and thankful in adversity. Be fair in thy judgment, and guarded in thy speech. Be a lamp unto those who walk in darkness, and a home to the stranger. Be eyes to the blind, and a guiding light unto the feet of the erring. Be a breath of life to the body of humankind, a dew upon the soil of the human heart, and a fruit upon the tree of humility.
Sikh prayer for Peace God adjudges us according to our deeds, not the clothes that we wear; That truth is above everything, but higher still is truthful living. Know that we attain God when we love, and only that victory endures in consequences of which no one is defeated.
Declaration of Humanity (with apologies to the author, whose name I cannot find)
I declare that I am a Spiritual Being, an essential and eternal part of the Soul of Humanity, one and indivisible. I declare that I am a Human Being whose rights and security ultimately depend on assuring the human rights of all people of Earth. I declare that I am a Child of the Earth, with the will and awareness to work for goals that benefit the entire community of life on Earth. I declare that I am a Healer, with the power and purpose to heal the many forms of divisions and conflicts that exist on Earth. I declare that I am a Protector, with the knowledge and the responsibility to help the Earth recover her natural harmony and beauty. I declare that I am an Activist, with the commitment and the ability to make a positive difference in my society.
Let us close with the International Anthem by Lisa Rogers God bless the Planet Earth Land where we live Stand beside us and guide us Help us learn how to love and forgive From The Holy Land to Afghanistan From The Andes up to Nome God bless the Planet Earth May all God's children have a home God bless the Planet Earth Our home sweet home.
Blessings and thanks to all who pass by.