INTERFAITH PRAYERS FROM THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

Prayer 6 March

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 that strike you on the cheek,
offer the other one 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 for them again.

And as you wish that others would do to you,
do so to them.

Prayer 8 March

Though an army encamp against me, my heart will not fear,
though war be waged against me, even then I will trust.

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking guile,
turn from evil, and do good, seek peace and follow after it.

Let not my enemies rejoice over me, let not my foes wink knowingly.

For civil words they speak not,
but against the peaceful in the land they fashion treacherous speech.

Yet a little while, and the wicked shall be no more,
though you mark his place, he will not be there.

But the meek shall possess the land;
they shall delight in abounding peace.

Trust not in extortion, in plunder take no empty pride;
though wealth abound, set not your heart upon it.