|
INTENTION : |
For Christians in areas of conflict. Let us pray that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation and hope.
|
FOCUS
The Pope's prayer intention for December 2025, focused on Christians living in contexts of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, is a powerful call to action and prayer for peace, reconciliation, and hope. This intention aligns with the Pope's ongoing commitment to world peace and interreligious dialogue.
The first moment of Pope Leo's papacy was literally a greeting of peace: "It is the peace of the risen Christ. A peace that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering. A peace that comes from God, the God Who loves us all, unconditionally." Therefore, we should never tire of calling for peace, of working for peace, of building bridges of peace, because it's only in a world built on sustainable peace that we all - every member of God's beloved creation - can fully flourish.
The intention invites Christians to become active instruments of peace in their communities, even amidst violence and division. This means promoting dialogue, understanding, and cooperation, acting as bridges that unite rather than walls that separate.
Reconciliation is a key process in healing the wounds of conflict and building lasting peace. Christians are called to be agents of reconciliation, showing mercy and seeking justice, forgiving as they have been forgiven by God. Such efforts can inspire others to follow the path towards peace.
In situations of war and conflict, it can be easy to fall into despair. However, the Pope's intention underscores the importance of keeping hope alive, trusting that a future of peace is possible with the help of the Lord. Christians can be a beacon of hope for their communities by maintaining unwavering faith and tirelessly working towards a more just and peaceful world.
The Middle East, the birthplace of the three major Abrahamic religions, holds special significance in the quest for world peace. The intention highlights the need to support Christians in this region, who can play a unique role in promoting interreligious dialogue and building bridges between divided communities.
Every Christian, no matter where he is, is called to be an instrument of peace. Inspired by the Pope's example and guided by our faith, we can contribute to a world where peace, reconciliation, and hope prevail.
ATTITUDES FOR DAILY LIFE
1. Working for peace
"There is no future based on violence, forced exile, or revenge. The people need peace; those who truly love them work for peace." (Pope Leo, Angelus, 21 September 2025)
2. Valuing small gestures
"Peace begins with each one of us: in the way we look at others, listen to others and speak about others. In this sense, the way we communicate is of fundamental importance: we must say 'no' to the war of words and images, we must reject the paradigm of war." (Pope Leo, Address to the Media, 12 May 2025)
In daily life, with the small fraternal gestures of each day wherever you may be, you can sow communion and thus contribute to world peace. What are those gestures in your own reality?
3. Promoting reconciliation
"Let us meet, let us talk, let us negotiate!" (Pope Leo, Jubilee of Eastern Churches, 14 May 2025)
Seek to reconcile with your brother as you go along the way, and pray that Jesus in you may love those whom He places in your life, those who, in your family, in your community, in your work, are most difficult for you to accept. The Lord counts on your contribution this month.
4. Keeping hope alive
"Today, signs of hope are increasingly found in care homes, communities for minors, centers for listening and acceptance, soup kitchens, homeless shelters and low- income schools. How many of these quiet signs of hope often go unnoticed and yet are so important for setting aside our indifference and inspiring others to become involved in various forms of volunteer work!" (Pope Leo, 9th World Day of the Poor, 16 November 2025)
Where do you place your hope? Remember that, amid difficulties, only Christ can keep alive a hope that does not disappoint. Receive this hope in daily contact with Him, to spread it around you.
5. Standing in solidarity with those suffering from war
Pope Leo thanked God for all those who are "sowing peace," while also expressing gratitude for those Christians, "who, above all in the Middle East, persevere and remain in their homelands, resisting the temptation to abandon them." (Pope Leo, Jubilee of Eastern Churches, 14 May 2025)
How do you want to help the brothers and sisters who, in the Middle East, risk their lives for Christ by bearing a witness of solidarity and charity with those who suffer from war? What you do out of love from your place is valuable and aids this mission.
MONTHLY PRAYER
Oh God,
who through the precious blood of Your Son
reconciled the world to Yourself:
today we pray for Christians
who live in contexts of war or conflict.
May they be seeds of reconciliation,
showing mercy and seeking justice,
building bridges between divided communities
and always forgiving, as they have been forgiven by You.
May their presence and testimony
contribute to reconciliation,
to heal wounds and inspire others
to build and follow a path towards peace.
Lord Jesus, who called peacemakers blessed,
help us to become active instruments of peace in our communities,
even when surrounded by violence and division.
Holy Spirit, guarantor of true hope:
help Christians to be beacons of hope,
keeping an unwavering faith and working tirelessly
for a more just and peaceful world,
trusting that a future of peace is possible with the Lord's help.
Amen.
|
|
