December 2012 Ritual: Peace for the Children Candle Lighting
By Diann L. Neu
This prayer is a candle lighting blessing for a holiday meal or special time of sharing. Use it with your family, community, or group of friends. Have a candle for each person.
Light Candles
As we gather this holiday season, let us remember the children – the children of Newtown, the children who play in our neighborhood, and all children who need peace every day. Let us remember the parents, teachers, and adult friends who love children and risk everything to save them from violence, war, poverty, and injustice. Let us light a candle of commitment and say “I will pray and work for peace on earth.”
Pray
Compassionate and comforting Holy One of Peace, as we celebrate this season, we pray for the children. Give them the gift of safety so that they may live and thrive. Give us the gift of moral courage so that we may pray and work for justice. Together, we will give the greatest gift of all: peace on earth. Amen. Blessed Be. Let It Be So.
© Diann L. Neu, dneu@hers.com, cofounder and codirector of WATER,
the Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual, www.waterwomensalliance.org
