June 21, 2019
[Acknowledge the honor of being in the presence of Chief Arvol Looking Horse, the founder of World Peace and Prayer Day.]
Let us pray.
CREATOR, eternal source of love, we, your children of many religions, come to you this morning as one spiritual family.
AS we celebrate the summer solstice and light over darkness, we beseech you to hear our prayer when so many of your people are suffering from injustice and violence.
WE ask that terror and violence be overcome by the power of love and the desire for peace,
that prejudice and scapegoating give way to understanding and acceptance,
that injustice succumb to justice, and that the craving to oppress be transformed into the desire for brotherhood and sisterhood.
WE stand in solidarity with indigenous peoples everywhere and all persons worldwide who want peace, justice and love to prevail on this sacred planet we share.
WE ask that you strengthen our resolve to be vigilant against the evils of hate, oppression and injustice, and grant us the will, and the courage, to confront them.
WE ask, further, that you embolden our political leaders, here and elsewhere, to be morally courageous and justice-serving, and give them the fortitude to protect all targeted communities and the vulnerable among your children.
WAKAN TANKA (Great Spirit), as persons of many faiths but with a single petition, we humbly ask on this “World Peace and Prayer Day” that you renew our hope and … grant us peace.
Amen.
Bridges of Faith Trialogue/Cincinnati Festival of Faiths
World Peace and Prayer Day sponsored by the Greater Cincinnati Native American Coalition and the Miami Valley Council for Native Americans, Fort Ancient, Lebanon OH, June 21, 2019