Lenten Prayer for Peace by Fr. John Dear is a powerful Catholic prayer inviting believers to embrace the nonviolence of Jesus during the sacred season of Lent. Rooted in the Gospel and the call to discipleship, this reflection encourages Christians to renounce violence, cultivate interior peace, and follow Christ more faithfully on the path from Galilee to Jerusalem, to the cross and the resurrection.

In this prayer, Fr. Dear invites readers to use the forty days of Lent as a time to examine their own lives in light of the “nonviolent Jesus,” asking God to “disarm” their hearts and deepen their commitment to peace.

The prayer calls for:

• Personal conversion and interior nonviolence
• Compassion toward others and care for creation
• Active participation in grassroots movements for disarmament and justice
• Faithful accompaniment of Jesus as a nonviolent disciple

Grounded in Catholic social teaching and the growing Church emphasis on Gospel nonviolence, this Lenten prayer connects personal spiritual renewal with public commitment to justice and peace.

Authored by Fr. John Dear, internationally known Catholic priest, peace activist, and advocate for Christian nonviolence, this prayer reflects decades of pastoral leadership in the Catholic peace movement. Fr. Dear’s work consistently calls the Church to reclaim nonviolence as central to Christian identity and discipleship.

Ideal for Lent, parish prayer services, retreat settings, campus ministry, Stations of the Cross reflections, and personal devotion, this resource offers a meaningful way to integrate prayer, nonviolence, and justice throughout the Lenten season.

Discover meaningful ways to observe Lent through reflections from Pope Francis, and check out the comprehensive resources available in the Lent and Easter Toolbox from Education for Justice to enhance your spiritual journey, prayer life, and faith formation.