Praying for Peace in Iraq

Last updated on: March 12, 2015 at 4:45 pm by Lisa M. Hendey

Praying for Peace in Iraq 2015-03-12T16:45:43-07:00 Lisa M. Hendey

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Pope Francis led us in prayer today with three separate posts on Twitter for those living in Iraq:

Tweets from Pope Francis’ @Pontifex Twitter Account

These were followed up with a press release (included below) from the USCCB’s Committee of International Justice and Peace. It is clear that these persecuted families need our immediate prayers and attention. Please join me in praying the prayer below today, tomorrow, Sunday, August 17th and every day until these families receive relief from their suffering.

WASHINGTON—The chairman of the Committee of International Justice and Peace of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) asked the U.S. bishops to invite the people of their dioceses to pray for peace in Iraq on Sunday, August 17. Bishop Richard E. Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, made the request, August 6, sending the bishops the text of a prayer written by the Chaldean Catholic Patriarch of Iraq, His Beatitude Louis Rafael Sako.

Bishop Pates recounted the struggles of Christians and others in Iraq who have faced the destruction, burning and looting of churches, homes and businesses and, under threat of the Islamic State (ISIS) to join their extremist brand of Islam, have fled for their lives. Accordingly, he urged Catholics to let their elected representatives know of their concern that humanitarian assistance reach Christian and other religious minorities who are suffering in Iraq, Syria and other countries.

Bishop Pates also noted Pope Francis’ calls for peace in Iraq and his observation that “violence generates more violence; dialogue is the only path to peace.”

The full text of Patriarch Sako’s prayer for peace follows:

Lord,
The plight of our country
is deep and the suffering of Christians
is severe and frightening.
Therefore, we ask you Lord
to spare our lives, and to grant us patience,
and courage to continue our witness of Christian values
with trust and hope.
Lord, peace is the foundation of life;
Grant us the peace and stability that will enable us
to live with each other without fear and anxiety,
and with dignity and joy.

Glory be to you forever.

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