Prayer for Peace

This is the world
You loved so much that for it
You gave your only begotten
Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to hang
From the cross, done to death
Love nearly overwhelmed by hate
Light nearly extinguished by darkness
Life nearly destroyed by darkness
Life nearly destroyed by death –
But not quite –

For love vanquished hate
For life overcame death –
Light overwhelmed
Darkness, there –
And we can love with hope.
For peace,
For transfiguration, for compassion,
for soldiers,
for civilians, for peace, for Shalom,
For family, for togetherness –

O my God, our God O my father
When will we ever learn?
When will they ever learn?
Desmond Tutu