Lord,

you who make peace God's gift to mankind,

grant our family that peace without which there can be no justice, love or forgiveness.

Drive away from us the spirit of anger and resentment.

Teach us to listen to one another.

May our home be a haven of peace amid the tensions of this world.

In the image of your Church, may Christ be the source and meaning of our lives, so that he, the Prince of Peace, may reign over our family.

To this end, Lord, teach us to be masters enough of ourselves not to impose on others the tiredness and bad moods that come from outside.

Grant each of us a heart that understands, an ear that listens, a hand that helps.

By defusing conflicts, may peace always have the last word between us.

May all who come into our family experience the peace that comes from you.

Remind us always of the importance of praying for peace, without which there can be no future and no friendship between men.

Offer our children, through the example of our family unity and forgiveness, the experience of peace that will make them confident and unified witnesses.

Amen."