Join Pope Francis to Pray & Fast for Peace on Feb. 23rd

“Our heavenly Father always listens to his children who cry out to him in pain and anguish; ‘he heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds’ (Ps 147[146]:3). I launch a heartfelt appeal that we too may listen to this cry and each, according to his or her own conscience before God, can ask: ‘What can I do for peace?’” - Pope Francis, Angelus, February 4, 2018

Pope Francis is inviting Catholics to participate in a Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace on the Friday of the First Week of Lent (Feb. 23), in order to pray for “the tragic prolonging of conflicts in various parts of the world,” particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

He urges that each person “according to his or her own conscience before God, can ask: ‘What can I do for peace?’” 
Prayer for Peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and all the World
Heavenly Father,
you tell of a time when the lion and lamb lie down together,
and swords will be turned into plowshares,
a time when all divisions will be healed.

Be with the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan
in their hour of suffering.
May your Spirit of Love comfort them and kindle in their hearts
a hope for true peace, mercy and reconciliation.  

Be with those leaders who hold the future of these countries in their hands.
Open their minds and hearts to your Spirit of Peace
so that they may work to build societies that respect the rights of all.

Ever Living God, may our heartfelt prayer and fasting
help bring peace and justice
to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and to all the World.

We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen. 

(Source: Justice, Peace and Human Development, USCCB)