Friday, January 25, 2008 was designated as a special day of prayer for peace and reconciliation in Kenya. To mark this day, the Kenyan Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a special prayer included below. You are invited to join in solidarity with the Kenyan people by praying this prayer and others on Friday and throughout these days of violence and uncertainty in that country.
Oh God our Creator and giver of life, you sent your Son, the Prince of Peace to redeem us and teach us the way of Love. Listen to the supplications of your suffering children of Kenya in this difficult moment of our dear country. Hear the cries of many people afflicted through the death of their loved ones, or the loss of property. Hear the signs of those who fear for their lives or have been displaced and are facing hunger and scarcity.
Through the power of your grace, we ask you Lord, to drive out from our midst any form of hatred with your healing Love. Bring about Justice through the way of charity. Where there is bitterness teach us forgiveness and reconciliation. Put in our hearts the Love for truth so that your Justice can prevail. Above all Father, touch the hearts of our political leaders so that they may humble seek a disinterested dialogue that will bring about understanding.
May you bless our Land once more with lasting peace and fraternal understanding, where in your Love; we will live in unity, peace and liberty as brother and sisters. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Sala ya Kuomba Amani (Swahili Version)
Ee Mungu Muumba wetu na mpaji wa maisha,ulimtuma Mwanao, Mfalme wa Amani ili aje kutukomboa sisi na kutufundisha njia ya upendo. Sikiliza maombi ya wanao wa Kenya wanaoteseka hasa katika wakati huu mgumu wa nchi yetu tunayoipenda. Sikiliza kilio cha watu wengi waliokumbwa na mkasa wa kupoteza wenzao waliowapenda na hata wale waliopoteza na kuharibiwa mali zao. Sikiliza manung’uniko ya wale wanaohofia kupoteza maisha yao au pengine kuachwa bila makazi, chakula na umaskini.
Kwa nguvu za neema zako tunakuomba Bwana, uondoe chuki kati yetu na utupe upendo wa uponyaji. Ee Mungu tupatie haki kwa njia ya upendo. Palipo na chuki au ugomvi utufundishe jinsi ya kusameheana na kupatana. Utuwekee upendo wa kweli mioyoni mwetu ili haki ipate kutawala. Zaidi ya hayo yote Ee Baba tunakuomba uiguse mioyo ya viongozi wetu wa siasa ili kwa unyenyekevu waweze kuwa na majadiliano ambayo yataleta uelewano na amani ya kudumu.
Tunakuomba uibariki nchi yetu kwa Amani ya kudumu na uelewano wa kiutu, ili kwa upendo wako tuweze kuishi katika umoja, amani na uhuru kama kaka na dada. Tunaomba hayo kwa njia ya Kristu Bwana wetu. Amina.
