Home  |  About the NCC  |  Education  |  Justice  |  Public Witness  |  Unity  |  NCC News  | Directory  |  Search  |  Make a Gift

---

A LITANY OF LIGHT FOR PEACE

The following litany was prepared by the National Council of Churches as part of its ongoing witness on behalf of Peace and in faithful opposition to a war in Iraq. It is prepared for use in churches and other settings during the Christian observance of Lent 2003.

It may be used in community interfaith settings and peace vigils. It is suggested that a family or other small group bring an offering of a pillar candle to the front of the sanctuary or the center of the worship space.  Arrangements should be made in advance for the candle, once lit, to be placed on the communion table, altar or another small table as appropriate within the specific context or tradition. The candle should be a white pillar candle (2-3 inches in diameter and 6-10 inches in height).  A second family member ought to be designated ahead of time to light the candle when indicated in the litany. 

At the conclusion of the litany members of the congregation may be invited to display a single candle in their homes as a means of witnessing for peace. Small electrical, battery operated candles may be safely used to display a witness for peace in home windows.

 

PRAYING FOR PEACE

LEADER:  May the Peace which passes all understanding be with you!

PEOPLE: And also with you!

 FIRST READER:  Light is an image from scripture associated with peace, harmony and oneness with God. When all was in the darkness God created light and called it good.

PEOPLE:  Light is a symbol of God's goodness and of all that is created.  Let us celebrate the light of the world.

SECOND READER:  In the great story of the Exodus from Egypt the people were afraid and fearful for their lives. God gave them a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night that they might find their way to freedom and peace.

PEOPLE: We too are afraid that the nations will lose their way. O, God, give us light that we might find our way to peace.

LEADER: Let us place among us this candle. Let us light it and let it stand as a beacon calling us from darkness and warfare to light and peace.

(Here, a member of the family or group lights the candle and it is momentarily lifted up above the bearer's head and placed on the table or altar.)

LEADER: Let us pray to the God of life for Peace:

ALL: God who created light that your children might walk in light and live an abundant life, we come before you in faith and in hope that even now the nations might choose to walk in light and put aside warfare and killing. Drawn to the light of this candle we make bold to pray that you will touch the hearts and minds of world leaders afresh. May the councils of the powerful yield to your everlasting wisdom. Wherever wars and rumors of war abound may your Peace and understanding quiet all fears and animosities. May you give new and powerful gifts of courage and leadership to those who speak and work for Peace. Help us to confess that war in this time is a mark of our failing one another and contrary to your will.  In these days of anxiety and preparation for war stand by us and make us strong that we might not be paralyzed by fear but rather empowered to speak on behalf of Peace, work for Peace, pray for Peace, and live in Peace each with one another. Amen

LEADER: Then let us dedicate ourselves to the ministry of Peacemaking in the name of the God who brings true Peace.

PEOPLE: Lord, make me an instrument of your Peace!

LEADER:  Let us declare ourselves again in opposition to war and killing, in the name of the Lord of life.

PEOPLE: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace!

LEADER:  Let us again denounce war as a final rupture of the human family and violation of God's will for our lives.

PEOPLE: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace!

LEADER: Let us seek the ways of security that hold promise for life and lasting peace rather than an expeditious exercise of military domination

PEOPLE: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace!

LEADER: Then let us go from this place when worship is concluded to bring light in darkness, hope in despair, and to sow true and lasting peace by word and deed

PEOPLE: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace!

LEADER: Peace be with you!

PEOPLE: And also with you!

ALL: Amen

 

SUNG RESPONSE (Tune: Cwm Rhonda)
(Used with permission)