Prayer is used in many traditions to communicate, praise, thank, and set intention. Prayer is often under-utilized in pagan religions because it is used so strongly in religious traditions that have tried to eradicate other religions, including paganism. That being said there is a great power in prayer that should not be overlooked just because it gets a bad rap. I have written a prayer for peace that you are welcome to use in your practice. After it are two other prayers for peace: One by Fiona McLeod (William Sharp) that combines elements of both pagan and Christian traditions and has the feel of a litany. The other one attributed to Francis of Assisi, but can only be traced back to the early 1900s. Even if it can’t be traced back to him, it is a great prayer of peace used by many faiths to this day. All of these are inspirations for you to be able to write a prayer of you own or just inspire your sincere prayer for peace in the moment, from your heart. Which is the practice for this week. Write a prayer and say it every day this week.
Prayer to be Peaceful By Adam Sartwell.
Deepest peace, That is the loving heart of the great spirit
Deepest peace, That is the clarity of the divine mind
Deepest peace, That is the manifestation of the divine Will
Radiant peace inherent in all the Gods and their work
Reflected in the perfect peace and perfect love of the circle
All of which I am a manifestation
May all my parts work as one in peace
May peace fill all within me
May I open to hold more
So in compassion and at need
I may overflow with it
Until all can enjoy relief from suffering,
In the holy peace of the Goddess and God,
And the enlightenment of the mysteries
In gratitude, I give thanks for all manifestations of peace
And the favor of the gods
May there always be peace between us
For the highest good
Harming none
Blessed be!
From The Dominion of Dreams. Under the Dark Star
by Fiona Macleod (William Sharp)1895
Deep peace I breathe into you,
O weariness, here:
O ache, here!
Deep peace, a soft white dove to You;
Deep peace, a quiet rain to you;
Deep peace, an ebbing wave to you!
Deep peace, red wind of the east from you;
Deep peace, grey wind of the west to You;
Deep peace, dark wind of the north from you;
Deep peace, blue wind of the south to you!
Deep peace, pure red of the flame to you;
Deep peace, pure white of the moon to you;
Deep peace, pure green of the grass to you;
Deep peace, pure brown of the earth to you;
Deep peace, pure grey of the dew to you,
Deep peace, pure blue of the sky to you!
Deep peace of the running wave to you,
Deep peace of the flowing air to you,
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you,
Deep peace of the sleeping stones to you!
Deep peace of the Yellow Shepherd to you,
Deep peace of the Wandering Shepherdess to you,
Deep peace of the Flock of Stars to you,
Deep peace from the Son of Peace to you,
Deep peace from the heart of Mary to you,
And from Bridget of the Mantle
Deep peace, deep peace!
And with the kindness too of the Haughty Father
Peace!
In the name of the Three who are One,
Peace! And by the will of the King of the Elements,
Peace! Peace!
Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
May your practice bring you peace.
Blessed be!