Thank you for praying and fasting with us these 40 days.

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Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry: htoh.us
420 W County Line Rd, Suite 200
Barrington, IL 60010

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Fr. Michael leads a Guided Examination of Conscience based on James 4:1-2 inviting us to trade self-reliance for gratitude, trust, and peace. Let the wars within give way to healing that radiates outward.

"Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members? You covet but do not possess. You kill and envy but you cannot obtain; you fight and wage war. You do not possess because you do not ask."
— James 4:1–2 (NABRE)

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Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry: htoh.us
420 W County Line Rd, Suite 200
Barrington, IL 60010

Submit a prayer request: htoh.us/prayers

Support our ministry with a financial gift: htoh.us/donate

Fr. Michael offers prayers for Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan in this culminating prayer for our 40 Day Novena of Prayer and Fasting for Peace.

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Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry: htoh.us
420 W County Line Rd, Suite 200
Barrington, IL 60010

Submit a prayer request: htoh.us/prayers

Support our ministry with a financial gift: htoh.us/donate

Still your hearts and minds and find inner peace in Christ Jesus.

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Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry: htoh.us
420 W County Line Rd, Suite 200
Barrington, IL 60010

Submit a prayer request: htoh.us/prayers

Support our ministry with a financial gift: htoh.us/donate

Saint John Paul II, one of the most influential voices for peace in the 20th and early 21st centuries, tirelessly proclaimed the dignity of every human life as the foundation of a just and peaceful world. Throughout his papacy, he called on individuals, nations, and the Church to build what he called a “civilization of love,” where justice, solidarity, and forgiveness triumph over hatred and division.

In his many addresses for the World Day of Peace and writings like Centesimus Annus, Evangelium Vitae, and Solicitudo Rei Socialis, he taught that true peace is rooted not just in diplomacy or policy, but in the conversion of hearts, the respect for life, and the recognition of each person as a child of God.

This prayer is drawn from those teachings. It seeks to echo his urgent call to become peacemakers in a world torn by violence, fear, and injustice—by becoming people of compassion, truth, and mercy, beginning in our own hearts and homes.

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Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry: htoh.us
420 W County Line Rd, Suite 200
Barrington, IL 60010

Submit a prayer request: htoh.us/prayers

Support our ministry with a financial gift: htoh.us/donate

Fr. Michael leads a guided meditation inspired by Pope Francis' writings on care for our common world.

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Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry: htoh.us
420 W County Line Rd, Suite 200
Barrington, IL 60010

Submit a prayer request: htoh.us/prayers

Support our ministry with a financial gift: htoh.us/donate

In this 4th week of our novena for peace we invite you to pray on the writings and teachings of our late beloved pontiff, Pope Francis. He consistently taught that peace is rooted in justice, dialogue, and care for all, especially the poor and vulnerable.

In the third year of his pontificate, in 2015, he issued his landmark encyclical Laudato Si’. In it, he links care for creation to peace, warning that environmental destruction fuels conflict. He urges religious leaders and all people of goodwill to work together for reconciliation, forgiveness, and the dignity of every person.

In his 2020 encyclical Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis calls for a culture of encounter, solidarity, and fraternity beyond borders. He condemns war, nuclear weapons, and the arms trade as failures of humanity. Francis emphasizes nonviolence as a political and personal path, echoing the Gospel’s call to love enemies.

Our prayer this week is inspired by Pope Francis’ teaching in especially these two encyclicals. It’s written in the form of a call and response litany. If possible, we encourage you to pray it with others. Or you may wish to simply pray it by yourself.

Thank you for joining us in this 40 day Novena of Prayer and Fasting for Peace.

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Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry: htoh.us
420 W County Line Rd, Suite 200
Barrington, IL 60010

Submit a prayer request: htoh.us/prayers

Support our ministry with a financial gift: htoh.us/donate

Fr. Michael leads a guided imagery prayer for peace inspired by the apparitions of Mary at Medjugorje and his own pilgrimages to that holy site.

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Heart to Heart, a Catholic Media Ministry: htoh.us
420 W County Line Rd, Suite 200
Barrington, IL 60010

Submit a prayer request: htoh.us/prayers

Support our ministry with a financial gift: htoh.us/donate