Songs are written for many reasons. Some songs are written to celebrate. Some music gives voice to our despair. Other songs help us to communicate love, or joy. Some songs are written to convey a prayer. Often, we have deep desires that weigh heavy on our souls. Our words seem to fall short, but when paired with music, the words and emotion seemingly combine to carry our thoughts directly to heaven.
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 team, 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 and 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, in light of what is happening in Ukraine, 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.
May peace be in our prayers today.
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
