November 17, 2011, marks the two-month anniversary of the Occupy Wall Street movement, and demonstrations are planned in many locations. Faith leaders and Occupy Wall Street protesters have insisted that nonviolent civil disobedience is the way to go, and to date, what violence has occurred seems to have been initiated by the police trying to break up occupy encampments. Our prayer is that both protesters and police practice nonviolence so that all will be safe and the issues of economic disparity and injury behind the movement will get the attention they deserve.

And so we pray this news:

God of Nonviolence,

Send the Holy Spirit of nonviolence upon me
that I will love everyone.
from my neighbor to my enemies,
that I may see you in everyone, and know
everyone as my sister and brother,
and never hurt or fear anyone again. . . .

Guide me on the Way of nonviolence.
Help me to speak the truth of peace,
to practice boundless compassion,
to radiate unconditional love,
to forgive everyone who ever hurt me,
to embody your nonviolence.
to walk with you in contemplative peace,
to be your beloved servant and friend.

Disarm my heart, and I shall be your instrument
to disarm other hearts and the world.
Lead me, God of nonviolence,
with the whole human family.
into your nonviolent reign of justice and peace where
there is no more war, no more injustice,
no more poverty, no more nuclear weapons,
no more violence.

I ask this in the name of the nonviolent Jesus,
our brother and our peace.
Amen
— John Dear,
www.fatherjohndear.org


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