Convinced that violence to deal with violence only begets more violence, that root causes of injustice and hatred need to be identified and healed; remembering also that Jesus told us to pray for our enemies, and that "all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword" (Matt 26:52), I wish to share this prayer associated with a relatively little-known devotion to Mary as 'the Lady of All Nations'. This is associated with apparitions of Mary in Amsterdam from 1945-1959, accepted by the Church as being of supernatural origin.
In revealing the prayer to Ida Peerdeman, Our Lady said the prayer was purposely kept short and simple, 'so that every person may manage to say it, even in this modern and speed-mad world.' Significantly, when so many countries are wracked by war, distress or turmoil, it asks for 'the Holy Spirit to live in the hearts of all nations, that they may be preserved from degeneration, disaster and war'.
The prayer in full:
In revealing the prayer to Ida Peerdeman, Our Lady said the prayer was purposely kept short and simple, 'so that every person may manage to say it, even in this modern and speed-mad world.' Significantly, when so many countries are wracked by war, distress or turmoil, it asks for 'the Holy Spirit to live in the hearts of all nations, that they may be preserved from degeneration, disaster and war'.
The prayer in full:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Father,
send now your Spirit over the earth.
Let the Holy Spirit live in the hearts of all nations,
that they may be preserved from degeneration, disaster and war.
May the Lady of All Nations, the Blessed Virgin Mary, be our advocate.
Amen.
