Bishops share peaceful prayer

Editor's note -- the following was written by the bishops of four faith groups in Alaska, as a response to Pope John Paul II's World Day of Prayer for Peace, which was held yesterday.

On this 24th day of January, 2002, religions leaders from all the world's religions are meeting at the invitation of John Paul II in Assisi, Italy, to pray for peace. United with them we, the religious leaders of Alaska, wish to add our voices to the chorus of prayer in the fervent hope that people of faith everywhere, and indeed all people, will be inspired to work, for peace and justice in our world.

Let us pray first for peace in the heart and mind of every human person. May the anxieties and uncertainties of each one of us find comfort and solace. May each of us be whole and complete in mind, body and spirit. May the dignity of each one be upheld and preserved.

Let us pray for peace in our families. May each family be strengthened in unity. May our society and our culture uphold the dignity and the essential value of each family in the building up the common good. May families in crisis find help and the means to true reconciliation.

Let us pray for peace in our communities. May divisions between urban and rural Alaskans find peaceful and dignified resolution. May we draw upon the many strengths of the diverse peoples and cultures represented in every part of our Great Land and appreciate the contribution of each to our common heritage.

Let us pray for peace in our country. May the principles which formed this great nation guide our steps that we may indeed be "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Let us pray for peace in our world. May the present tensions find peaceful resolution. May all peoples and nations live in harmony, respecting the dignity and culture of each while working together for the progress of all.

For these and for all other petitions for peace, we most fervently pray and invite all men, women and children of goodwill to join us.

This prayer was written by Archbishop Roger Schwietz, the Catholic archbishop of Anchorage; Archbishop Emeritus Francis Hurley, the archbishop emeritus of Anchorage; Bishop Michael Warfel, the Catholic bishop of Juneau and apostolic administrator of Fairbanks; Bishop Nikolai, the bishop of Sitka and Diocese of Alaska; Bishop Mark McDonald, the Episcopal bishop of Alaska; and Bishop Ronald Martinson, the Lutheran bishop of Alaska - ELCA.