Here is the prayer for Day 7, the final day of the Week of Prayer for Syria. The prayer campaign has been organized by the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need. On Saturday, Pope Francis has asked the universal Church to joing him in a Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace.
Previous days: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6.
(Phrases in quotes in the prayers have been sent to Aid to the Church in Need from people in Syria. Some of the authors are named, others must remain anonymous.)
Prayer and Intercession for Peace in Syria
God of Compassion,
Hear the cries of the people of Syria
Comfort those who suffer violence
Console those who mourn the dead
Give strength to Syria’s neighbouring countries to welcome the refugees
Convert the hearts of those who have taken up arms
And protect those who are committed to peace.
God of hope,
Inspire leaders to choose peace over violence and to seek reconciliation with their enemies
Inflame the Universal Church with compassion for the people of Syria
And give us hope for a future built on justice for all
We ask this through Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace and Light of the world.
Amen
Seventh day: Give us hope in a future of peace, founded on justice for all
“It is time to finish with these weapons and, instead of calling for violence, international powers need to work for peace. Throughout this whole time of crisis, our churches have been almost full. The people feel that in spite of the problems, God is granting miracles for them. There is a mixture of hope and despair. People do not know what their future may be. People feel fear but in spite of that they are strong in their faith.” Patriarch Gregor III. Laham
“Thus, we are not discouraged. On the contrary. Even though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day after day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
We pray that hope does not grow faint. We pray that Christ, Prince of Peace and Light of the World, fills the Syrian people with trust, so that they “abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for Syria, pray for us.
