"In this dramatic hour of our history, while the winds of war and the fires of violence continue to devastate entire peoples and nations, the Christian community is reminded of its call to "put itself at the service of humanity".
- Pope Francis

A Prayer for Peace

Lord our God,
Father of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and Father of all peoples,
Who in the cross of Your Son
and through the gift of His own life,
at great cost You wished to destroy
the wall of enmity and hostility
that separates peoples and makes us enemies:

Send into our hearts
the gift of the Holy Spirit,
that He may purify us from every feeling
of violence, hatred and revenge,
enlighten us to understand
the irrepressible dignity
of every human person,
and inflame us to the point of consumption
for a peaceful and reconciled world
in truth and justice,
in love and freedom.

Almighty and eternal God,
in Your hands are the hopes of men and women
and the rights of every people:
Assist with Your wisdom those who govern us,
so that, with Your help,
they will become sensitive to the sufferings of the poor
and of those who suffer the consequences
of violence and war;
may they promote the common good and lasting peace
in our region
and throughout the earth.

Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope,
obtain the gift of peace
for the Holy Land that gave birth to you
and for the whole world. Amen.

—Cardinal Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem

The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-29) offers us a example of what can happen when 'traditional enemies' respond in love to the needs of the suffering and put themselves at the service of humanity.