Worship Resources for Peace 
from The Episcopal Church, USA

A Eucharistic Prayer with the Theme of Peace and Justice

A congregational refrain, using Psalm 89:14, is included as an option within the prayer.

Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is right to give unceasing thanks and boundless praise to you, Holy God, ruler of the universe and giver of life. You brought the world into being and declared it good; you made humankind in your image, and entrusted to us the stewardship of all creation.

Despite our failings you showed us mercy. Through your law and the voices of prophets and poets, you called us to faithfulness and justice. You commanded us to remember the poor and the needy, the orphan and the stranger. With infinite generosity you forgave us as we followed selfish goals and ignored your words of love. Never abandoning us to our sinfulness, you came among us and showed us the path of life.

Therefore we praise you, joining the saints and angels in proclaiming your glory, as we say,

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Glory and honor and praise to you, holy and living God. Your word of peace has been active from the beginning; your justice has sought incarnation in every age. In the fullness of time you looked with favor upon Mary, your willing servant, that she might conceive your Son through the power of your Holy Spirit. Expecting his birth she sang of your purpose: The mighty shall be cast down and the humble lifted up; the promise of mercy to Abraham and all his children shall be fulfilled in the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Living among us, Jesus loved us. He broke bread with outcasts and sinners, healed the sick, and proclaimed good news to the poor. He pronounced the blessedness of peacemakers, all those who are willing to seek first your Kingdom and your righteousness. Jesus yearned to draw all the world to himself, yet we were heedless of his call to walk in love. We returned violence for his friendship, crucifixion for his self-offering. Yet even this you turned to blessing, and transformed his unjust death into the means of salvation.

On the night before he died for us, our Savior Jesus Christ took bread, and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his friends, and said: "Take, eat: This is my Body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said: "Drink this, all of you: This is my blood of the new Covenant, which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Celebrant and People
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

The Celebrant then continues
Accept, O Lord, our sacrifice of praise, this memorial of our redemption.

Send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts. Let them be for us the Body and Blood of your Son. Send your Spirit upon us also, and grant that we who eat this bread and drink this cup may be filled with your life and goodness. Through the abiding presence of Christ, empower us to live the gospel of peace and bring reconciliation to the world in his Name.

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever.
AMEN.

As our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say / we now pray:
Our Father...