Join us in prayer this month.
Download the Prayer Diary as a PDF
Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: they do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12.22-26,32-34 (NIV)
This year marks the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi. He died on 3 October 1226, and his feast day is 4 October. Having joined a military expedition when he was about 20 and been imprisoned for a year, he became a man of peace. He lived in poverty and cared for the poor. He loved all of creation and has become the ‘patron saint of the environment’. During the Fifth Crusade, he travelled to Egypt and engaged with the Sultan and other Muslims. This month’s Bible reading is part of the Gospel reading for St Francis’ Day. Some nations spend a lot of time ‘worrying’ about defence and nuclear weapons. I think we know what St Francis would say: ‘People, not nukes!’
Let us pray:
- for CCND’s conference and AGM on 17 October; our speaker, Patricia Pulham; everyone who attends
- for the Franco-British Collective for Nuclear Disarmament and Security Conference with Roman Catholic bishops in Paris on 21 & 22 October. CCND will be represented by Kelvin and Richard, and there will be representatives from other Christian peace organisations
- for CND’s People not Nukes campaign (see also our social media post on this)
A prayer
Lord of all creation, make us instruments of your peace.
Let us learn the lessons of the past, and put an end to nuclear weapons.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love.
May our love for each other and for all of your creation
leave no place for making or owning weapons of mass destruction.
Where there is injury, let us be bearers of your healing and pardon.
May we create paths to dialogue, understanding and reconciliation.
Where there is doubt, let us foster faith in you.
May we let the weapons fall from our hands and know that you are God.
Where there is despair, let us hold up hope.
May our lives reflect your love in the face of violence,
knowing that love is stronger than death.
Where there is darkness, let us be bearers of your light.
May our choices show that peace is possible.
Where there is sadness, let us bring the joy of the Gospel.
Amen.
Based on the Prayer of St Francis. From https://socialjustice.catholic.org.au/2020/07/03/10-days-for-peace-prayer-for-nuclear-disarmament/
