Prayer for Peace

May all beings be at peace. 

May our inner peace not be displaced
by anger turned into hatred.

May our hearts not be closed,
or numbed,
or hardened. 

May we not lose our innocence,
if with it we lose our optimism
and our faith in humanity. 

May we not be confused
by so-called truths
and arbitrary distinctions
between us.

May we not forget
that we are all neighbors,
that we are all kin. 

May we keep turned on
our shared light,
shining through the clouds,
and the smoke,
and the dogmas.

May it light the path for us,
the large, all-inclusive us.

May we learn our lessons,
so that we don’t repeat
the faults and failings of our history. 

May our suffering be healed,
and may we be able
to support each other in our grief. 

May we be patient with ourselves
and with each other
as we discover, uncover,
and manifest kindness,
which translates as fairness,
which leads to peace.

May we talk and walk and work
towards justice in our governments,
equity in our policies,
truth in our media,
restraint in our outrage,
clarity in our vision,
discernment in our choices,
wisdom in our judgment,
good faith in our actions,
and good will in our deals and dealings. 

May then there be peace
in our world
and in our hearts.