Peace in Practice
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." Matthew 5:9
Next Monday, September 21st, we will observe the 2026 International Day of Peace. As communities around the globe observe the International Day of Peace, it is easy to view peace as a broad, fragile abstraction, a high-minded ideal for diplomats and global treaties. Yet the biblical call to peace is not a passive wish for quiet; it is an active, costly pursuit. Notice that the Beatitudes do not say, "Blessed are the peace-lovers," nor "Blessed are the peace-keepers." They say, "Blessed are the peacemakers."
Peace Is built, not found. Passive peacekeepers often avoid conflict to keep the surface calm, leaving underlying wounds to fester. Peacemakers, by contrast, wade directly into messy realities to bring true restoration.
Shalom: In the Hebrew tradition, shalom isn't merely the absence of war; it signifies wholeness, justice, and right relationships with God, ourselves, and our neighbors.
Action required: Building peace demands uncomfortable conversations, forgiving deep offenses, and standing up against injustice.
Global harmony feels overwhelming, but global peace is simply the outer ripple of personal and local choices.
In our homes: Dropping the need to win every argument and choosing understanding over pride.
In our Community: Listening to those whose political, cultural, or social views differ from ours without immediately retreating into cynicism or contempt.
To pursue peace is to reflect the very character of the Divine. When we choose unity over division, we participate in the healing of a fractured world. As we honor International Day of Peace this September 21, let us move beyond passive hopes. May we have the courage to lay down our defensive walls, extend forgiveness where it is least deserved, and build bridges where others build barriers. Let us be peacemakers in our homes, our neighborhoods, and our world.
And so, we pray A Litany for the International Day of Peace
Remember, O Lord, the people of the world, divided into many nations and tongues. Deliver us from every evil that gets in the way of your saving purpose; and fulfill the promise of peace to your people on earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the curse of war and the human sin that causes war;
O Lord, deliver us.
From pride that turns its back on you, and from unbelief that will not call you Lord;
O Lord, deliver us.
From national vanity that poses as patriotism, from loud-mouthed boasting and blind self-worship that admit no guilt;
O Lord, deliver us.
For the self-righteous who will not compromise, and from selfishness that gains by the oppression of others;
O Lord, deliver us.
From trusting in the weapons of war, and mistrusting the councils of peace;
O Lord, deliver us.
From hearing, believing, and speaking lies about other nations;
O Lord, deliver us.
From groundless suspicions and fears that stand in the way of reconciliation;
O Lord, deliver us.
From words and deeds that encourage discord, prejudice, and hatred; from everything that prevents the human family from fulfilling our promise of peace;
O Lord, deliver us.
O God our Father, we pray for all your children on earth, of every nation and of every race, that they may be strong to do your will;
We pray for the Church in the world;
O Lord, give peace in our time.
For the United Nations;
O Lord, give peace in our time.
For international federations of labor, industry, and commerce;
O Lord, give peace in our time.
For departments of state, ambassadors, diplomats, and states persons;
O Lord, give peace in our time.
For worldwide agencies of compassion which bind wounds and feed the hungry;
O Lord, give peace in our time.
For common folk in every land who live in peace;
O Lord, give peace in our time.
Eternal God: use us, even our ignorance and weakness, to bring about your holy will. Hurry the day when all people shall live together in your love; for yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
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