Looking for a prayer for Inner Peace

[BAM]

Does anyone know of a prayer that talks about inner peace and how peace in our lives and from others begins with us? I know there are lots of prayers for world peace but that's not what I'm looking for. I'd like to read it on Christmas Eve/Day. Thanks for your help and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Bam

 

[Aquajock]

The Serenity Prayer:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

A-Jock

 

[lioness]

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace!
That where there is hatred, I may bring love.
That where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness.
That where there is discord, I may bring harmony.
That where there is error, I may bring truth
There where there is doubt, I may bring faith.
That where there is despair, I may bring hope.
That where there are shadows, I may bring light.
That where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort, than to be comforted.
To understand, than to be understood
To love, than to be loved.
For it is by self-forgetting that one find.
It is by forgiving that one is forgiven.
It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life.

Saint Francis of Assisi


This is a song but you could speak it.

Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me;
Let there be peace on earth,
The peace that was meant to be.
With God as Creator, family all are we.
Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me.
Let this be the moment now.
With every breath I take,
Let this be my joyous vow:
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

 

[BAM]

Thanks A-Jock. The Serenity Prayer is a great prayer. The people I will be reading it to, unfortunately, need that plus a whole lot more!;(

Jane, those are great prayers! In fact, I was singing Let there be peace on earth....and couldn't remember the rest of the lyrics and now *poof*, here they are. Thank you!

Bam

 

[fuzzyears]

I was also going to suggests the Serenity Prayer, I think that is a good way to go. Personally, I say to myself, "At the foot of the cross we are all equal." That has helped me get through many potentially abrasive situations...not sure if you are interested in vocalizing that one though.

Wish you the best,

Donna

 

[mamads]

It's a beautiful prayer and here are the
words to all of the Serenity Prayer:

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen. --Reinhold Niebuhr

Darlene

 

[GraceNote]

Here's one that I like - you may have heard/seen it before.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

- Max Ehrmann

 

[rnyogamom]

"Slow me down, LORD Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind. Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time. Give me, amid the confusion of the day, the calmness of the everlasting hills. Break the tensions of my nerves and muscles with the soothing music of the singing streams that live in my memory. Help me to know the magical, restoring power of sleep. Teach me the art of taking minute vacations of slowing down to look at a flower, to chat with a friend, to pat a dog, to read a few lines from a good book. Slow me down, Lord, and inspire me to send my roots deep into the soil of life’s enduring values that I may grow toward the stars of my greater destiny."

 

[melrose]

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering.
There is a crack in everything,
That's how the light gets in.
~Leonard Cohen