A litany for world peace

My office was closed today in honour of Remembrance Day, so this morning I headed up to the East York Civic Centre to take part in their service. It was a pretty stirring hour, with many branches of the service in attendance, and many perspectives offered on their sacrifices.

One of the speakers in attendance was Reverend Alex Bisset of the Westminster Presbyterian Church. I’d like to quote from the “Litany for World Peace” he read this morning; you can read it in full as part of the service’s program, which is available in PDF format through the city’s website.

“Remember, O God, the peoples of the world divided into many nations and tongues. Deliver us from every evil that seeks to prevent your saving purpose for all human kind; and fulfill the promise of peace on earth through the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.

“From the curse of war and the sin of human beings that causes war (O God, deliver us).

“From indifference to human suffering and a low value put on human beings, who are made in your image, O God (O God, deliver us).

“From the lust for money, position and power that drives us to kill (O God, deliver us).

“From undue trusting in the weapons of war and from mistrusting the councils of peace (O God, deliver us).

“From lack of commitment and effort to the ways of reconciliation and peace; from a lack of forgiveness for past wrongs (O God, deliver us).

“From words and deeds that give rise to prejudice, fear and hatred, from everything that prevents the human family from fulfilling your promise of peace (O God, deliver us).”

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