LO: To contemplate the 'Prayer for Peace and Unity' and the 'Sign of Peace'.

After the Our Father, and before the Christian family receive Jesus in communion, everyone prays for peace and unity:

The first part of the prayer is asking that God’s peace might help us to be free from anything which may cause worry or distress.  The second paragraph reminds us that Jesus gave us peace and asks Jesus not to consider our sins but the goodness and faith of everyone, the Church. 

Then the priest says, “Peace be with you,” and invites everyone to share the sign of peace.  The people then greet one another as friends of Jesus.  They say to one another, “Peace be with you”, “The peace of Christ” or just “Peace” as they make a gesture of friendship e.g. shaking hands.  They are sharing with one another the gift of peace and unity which Jesus gave to his followers.  They are using the words with which Jesus greeted his friends after the Resurrection, ‘Peace be with you’.

Task 1:

1. How do you think this prayer might reassure Christians?
2. Why do you think the prayer for peace and the Sign of Peace come before Communion?
3. What are the challenges and opportunities offered by making the Sign of Peace?

Task 2: 

Listen to the hymn below about Unity: 'Let there be love shared among us'.

 Write at least three verses of your own hymn called: 'Let there be love shared among us'.