On September 21, Medical Teams is coming alongside other humanitarian organizations to celebrate the International Day of Peace. Though Medical Teams takes our commitment to objectivity in all conflict as a humanitarian organization seriously, many of the people we serve suffer because of violence. War is one of the greatest factors that forces people to leave home. Today, we’re turning to the power of prayer to help bring peace to our own hearts and to the world. From around the world, here are prayers for peace.

In 1981, the United Nations General Assembly dedicated September 21 as the International Day of Peace in an effort to encourage non-violence around the world. The 2024 theme is Cultivating a Culture of Peace. Peace isn’t just non-violence, it’s something that must be actively worked toward. One way we can bring about peace is praying for it!

Read on for a variety of bible passages and prayers for peace, and join us in celebrating the International Day of Peace!

A Hindu Prayer for Peace

I desire neither earthly kingdom, nor even freedom from birth and death.
I desire only the deliverance from grief of all those afflicted by misery.
Oh Lord, lead us from the unreal to the real; from darkness to light; from death to immortality.
May there be peace in celestial regions.
May there be peace on earth.
May the waters be appeasing.
May herbs be wholesome and may trees and plants brings peace to all.
May al beneficent brings peace to us. May your wisdom spread peace all through the world.
May all things be a source of peace to all and to me. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.

– From the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence

Paul’s Letter to the Philippians

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

– Philippians 4:4-9

Rabbi Jack Riemer’s Prayer for Peace

We cannot merely pray to you, O God, to end war;
For we know that You have made the world in a way that people must find their own path to peace within themselves and with their neighbors.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to end starvation;
For You have already given us the resources with which to feed the entire world, if we would only use them wisely.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to root out prejudice;
For You have already given us eyes with which to see the good in all people, if we would only use them rightly.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to end despair;
For You have already given us the power to clear away slums and to give hope, if we would only use our power justly.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to end disease;
For You have already given us great minds with which to search out cures and healing, if we would only use them constructively.

Therefore we pray to You instead, O God, for strength, determination and will power,
To do instead of just pray,

To become instead of merely to wish.

– Rabbi Jack Riemer

César Chávez’s Farm Worker Prayer

Show me the sufferings of the most miserable;
so I will know my people’s plight.

Free me to pray for others;
for you are present in every person.

Help me take responsibility for my own life;
so I can be free at last.

Grant me courage to serve others;
for in service there is true life.

Give me honesty and patience;
so that I can work with other workers.

Bring forth song and celebration;
so that the Spirit will be alive among us.

Let the Spirit flourish and grow;
so that we will never tire of the struggle.

Let us remember those who have died for justice;
for they have given us life.

Help us love even those who hate us;
so we can change the world.

Amen.

– César Chávez

Rev. Gretta Vosper’s Alternate Version of St. Francis’ Prayer

As I live every day,
I want to be a channel for peace,
May I bring love where there is hatred
and healing where there is hurt;
joy where there is sadness
and hope where there is fear.
I pray that I may always try
to understand and comfort other people
as well as seeking comfort and understanding
from them.
Wherever possible, may I choose to be
a light in the darkness,
a help in times of need,
and a caring, honest friend.
And may justice, kindness, and peace
flow from my heart forever,
Amen.

– We All Breathe, Rev. Gretta Vosper

Paul’s Encouragement to Live in Harmony

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

– Romans 12:9–21

St. John Paul II’s Prayer for Peace

Oh God, Creator of the universe, who extends your paternal concern over every creature and guides the events of history in the goal of salvation, we acknowledge your fatherly love when you break the resistance of mankind and, in a world torn by strife and discord, you make us ready for reconciliation. Renew for us the wonders of your mercy: send forth your Spirit that He may work in the intimacy of hearts, that enemies may begin to dialogue, that adversaries may shake hands and peoples may encounter one another in harmony. May all commit themselves to the sincere search for true peace which will extinguish all arguments, for charity which overcomes hatred, for pardon which disarms revenge.

Amen.

– St. John Paul II, Pope of Catholic Church, 1978 – 2005

Larry Kehler’s Prayer for a World Where Hope Seems Dim

Dear God, the world seems so dark and foreboding.

Where are the signs of hope?

What are you calling us to do?

Wars, uprisings, displacements, hunger, poverty, and disease continue to claim victims by the millions around the world each year.

Our ears do not want to hear their stories and our eyes do not want to see their plight because the suffering and destruction is so massive and cruel.

In our hearts and minds there is a desire to help somehow, but the crisis seem so overwhelming that we shake our heads in dismay and we wonder what the point is for us even to attempt to be witnesses for healing and hope in this hellish morass.

We beg with the song writer to open our eyes that we may see glimpses of truth you have for us.

Help us to follow the path of Jesus, the Suffering Servant. Give us the courage to be willing to walk the path of depression and pain with the victims of injustice here at home as well as abroad.

Help us to seek ways to light candles of hope, however small, through our words, our deeds, and our prayers, to encourage our sisters and brothers to hold onto the faith in spite of the pain and suffering they are facing.

And help those of us who are among the fortunate ones, who have enough bread to eat, good health, and who live in relative peace, to open our heart to learn from our sisters and brothers who are living lives of grace and forgiveness in the horrid circumstances which surround them. O God, help us to light one candle rather than to curse the darkness.

We pray this in the name of Jesus, who knows what being a light in this dark world is all about.

– Larry Kehler, Mennonite Central Committee

Prayers for Peace

On the International Day of Peace, we hope you’ll join us in praying for our hurting world. Peace is an urgent goal, one that will help save millions of lives. Without conflict or war, millions of families could return home without fear for their safety. Prayer is a powerful force for peace.