On the second weekend of each month, for all 2016, we will feature the peace prayers of the 12 classical world religions, and several other prominent peace prayers. Today’s post is the fourth of this series.In 2016 I believe we will see peace on earth, or at least more meaningful movement toward it. But when we look at our world, especially as reflected in the mainstream news media, peace on earth might seem like an impossible dream.

I’ve chased impossible dreams all my life. Most of them have come true. I believe the dream we all have for world peace will also come true. And James’ vigil was certainly a huge step in that direction.

Today’s post features three short peace prayers. First is the Native American Prayer for Peace, second is the Hindu Prayer for Peace, and third is the Nigerian traditional prayer,Earth Prayer.

But first we’re repeating a few of Spirit’s words from an earlier month’s Prayers for Peace.

For those of you who work with numerology, 2016 is a most significant year. The four digits add up to 9, which signifies completion.

To follow up on John’s words, we see this calendar year as the completion of a centuries-long cycle.

While we do not make predictions, we see this calendar year heralding the most meaningful progress toward peace on earth that has ever been made in human history.

That is why your prayers for peace are so critical—to continue the energy and power that has been building for centuries.

Each of you, standing alone in your own light and love, is a powerful force—far beyond what most of you can imagine. All of you, standing together in unity and love, are an invincible force.

The so-called battle between good and evil, between light and dark, is over. Dark is defeated Evil never existed. Light and love prevail.

However, like evil, dark also never really existed. Dark is only the absence of light. As you all move closer to your true selves, your perception of dark just dissolves. That’s all dark has ever been—your perception, not reality.

Only light and love are real. Only God is real. You are all part of that oneness, that divine energy, you might call God.

This is as close as we have ever come to making a prediction: You will see peace on earth in 2016.

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Native American Prayer for Peace

O Great Spirit of our Ancestors, I raise my pipe to you.
To your messengers the four winds,
and to Mother Earth who provides for your children.
Give us the wisdom to teach our children to love,
to respect, and to be kind to each other so that they
may grow with peace in mind. Let us learn to share
all the good things you provide for us on this Earth.

Hindu Prayer for Peace

Oh God, lead us from the unreal to the Real.
Oh God, lead us from darkness to light.
Oh God, lead us from death to immortality.
Shanti, Shanti, Shanti unto all.
Oh Lord God almighty, may there be peace
in celestial regions.
May there be peace on earth.
May the waters be appeasing.
May herbs be wholesome, and may trees and
plants bring peace to all.
May all beneficent beings bring peace to us.
May the Vedic Law propagate peace all
through the world.
May all things be a source of peace to us.
And may thy peace itself bestow peace on
all and may that peace come to me also.

Earth Prayer, Nigerian Traditional Prayer

May togetherness of this earth continue to guide
us and may the divine bring peace and understanding
to protect the world.

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This video, Peace on Earth, is a powerful, often emotional collection of photos depicting scenes of war and its aftermath. It has graphic images. So if you’re particularly sensitive you may not want to watch it. However, I can think of no better reason to work for world peace than to avoid these heart-wrenching scenes from ever being reenacted on this planet again.