I don’t always find it easy to pray. I am easily distracted. My mind wonders, often focusing on the most pressing issues of the day. Sometimes I struggle finding the right words for my prayers. So, I often turn to the hymns of the church to be my prayers. Sometimes I sing my prayers, while other times I recite the beautiful lyrics to help express my prayers to God.
One such musical prayer is the hymn “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” This hymn was written in 1955 by Jill Jackson and Sy Miller. Jill and Sy, a wife and husband song writing combination, wrote this beautiful song for the occasion of an international youth retreat that brought 180 students from around the world together. The youth represented different faith, political and social backgrounds. It was a beautiful song that became the prayer of that event.
“Let There Be Peace on Earth” quickly spread far beyond that youth retreat. Sy Miller said, “As though on wings, “Let There be Peace on Earth” began an amazing journey around the globe.” The students sang the song in their churches, their schools and all over.
People all around the world desire peace, but often do not pray for peace. When this prayer was put to music it became a hymn that lifted this hope to heaven in song. This hymn is now found in hymnals around the world. It has been recorded by numerous recording artists, including Vince Gill and Harry Connick, Jr. It is a prayer that we hope someday becomes a reality.
Here are some of the beautiful words to this prayer for peace:
Let there be peace on earth
and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth,
the peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father,
brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother
in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me.
Let this be the moment now.
With ev’ry breath I take
let this be my solemn vow:
To take each moment
and live each moment
in peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth
and let it begin with me.
We live in a culture that longs for peace. Our social and political climate is far from peaceful. Just turning on the TV or looking at social media and you will see that someone is angry about something. Perhaps this week, with all that is going on around us, we should revisit this wonderful prayer. I hope you will join me this week and take a moment to pray for peace.
Rev. Keith King, Online Campus Pastor
