“A Prayer for Peace”

Dona nobis pacem.

Grant us peace.

I prayed for peace within myself

And I was given fear

That I might learn openness

That I might learn faith

That I might learn hope

And that peace begins in my heart.

I prayed for peace with my neighbor

And I was given strife

That I might learn tolerance

That I might learn forgiveness

That I might learn compassion

And that peace begins in my heart.

We prayed for peace between nations

And we were given war

That we might learn respect for life

That we might learn justice

That we might learn a shared vision

And that peace begins in our hearts.

Dona nobis pacem.

Grant us peace.

-- Carla J. Giomo

(written in response to the events of 9/11;

available as SATB choral anthem from

Yelton Rhodes Press)