Shintoism Faith Resources

Prayer for Peace and Harmony

A representative Shinto prayer:

May our hearts be pure.
May our homes be peaceful.
May our communities live in harmony.
May the blessings of the kami
bring peace to all people
and balance to the natural world.

Shintoism Faith Resources

Great Purification Prayer (Ōharae no Kotoba)

One of the most important Shinto prayers is the Great Purification Prayer, traditionally recited at purification ceremonies.

Rather than asking for peace directly, it asks that impurity and wrongdoing be removed so that harmony can be restored among people and with the natural world.

Shintoism Faith Resources

Shrine Prayer

Many worshippers offer simple personal prayers at Shinto shrines, such as:

May peace dwell in my heart.
May my family be safe.
May our nation prosper.
May all people live in harmony.

Shintoism Faith Resources

Shinto prayers also commonly express:

• Gratitude for the blessings of nature

• Respect for ancestors

• Purity of heart

• Harmony within families

• Prosperity of the community

• Peaceful relationships

Confucianism Faith Resources

Confucian teachings emphasize that peace in the world begins with the cultivation of virtue within the individual. Harmony in the family leads to harmony in society, which in turn leads to peace among nations.

From The Analects:

The noble person seeks harmony, not uniformity.

This famous teaching encourages peaceful relationships while respecting differences.

Confucianism Faith Resources

Representative Confucian Invocation

Although not a classical liturgical prayer, the following reflects Confucian ideals and is often appropriate in educational or interfaith settings:

May we cultivate wisdom,
practice compassion,
act with integrity,
honor our families,
serve our communities,
and live together in harmony and peace.

Confucianism Faith Resources

From The Great Learning:

When the individual cultivates virtue,
the family is harmonious.

When families are harmonious,
the state is well governed.

When the state is well governed,
there is peace throughout the world.

This expresses one of Confucianism’s central convictions: lasting peace begins with personal moral formation.

Confucianism Faith Resources

A Reflection for Comfort

Confucian teaching also offers comfort through the steady practice of virtue:

May our hearts remain steadfast in times of difficulty.
May wisdom guide our decisions.
May kindness strengthen our relationships.
May peace begin within us and extend to our homes and our communities.

An often-quoted idea is:

To establish oneself, help others establish themselves.
To succeed, help others succeed.