Prayer For Peace
Pray for Peace on Christmas morning
Bow to kiss the Child’s face
Men and women’s hearts are warming
Pray for God’s redeeming Grace
Peace will come to those who love
Fellow man as God above
All our weapons laid away
Pray for Peace on Christmas Day
Even as the world is burning
Let us now attend the Birth
Homeless and downtrodden turning
Pray for our beleaguered Earth
Love will reign and wars will cease
The promise of the Prince of Peace
Son of God and Son of man
Help us all to understand
Pray for Peace on Christmas morning
Dark though as the skies may be
Nations’ leaders, heed the warning
Open all our eyes to see
May each of us within this place
Open hearts to Saving Grace
Lest we throw this world away
Pray for Peace on Christmas Day
© 2009 Neil Woodward
Prayer For Peace composed and arranged by Neil Woodward
Flint Symphony 2011 Holiday Pops Concert
Bill Harris, Holiday Pops Producer and Co-host of ABC 12 Broadcast
A Prayer For Peace is the essence of Christmas and all other observations and celebrations around the world that begin the new year. From the earliest seeds of civilization, humans have come together to give thanks and ask for renewal of life on the planet. Sometimes we focus on differences of religion, color, culture, location and history. During this time of year we can see a real “fraternity of mankind” as we view all people and our common aspirations. In every language, every religion, every person prays for redemption and success in the coming year, not only for his or her own circumstances, but also including the health of the Earth and everyone all over the world.
I am excited to hear the performance by the Flint Symphony Orchestra and Children’s Choir! I have written and performed hundreds of my own compositions over forty-plus years as a working musician. This show represents the first time one of my own songs has been presented by such a renowned orchestra and choir. It is an honor to be included in this long-running series, which has been embraced and enjoyed by so many families as part of their holiday traditions.
Woodward family gatherings, and especially Christmas celebrations have always included home-made music. Crowding around the piano, various musical instruments in loving hands, all voices raise the Joyful Noise in celebration of the Season of Joy. These are some of my earliest memories and most cherished moments of my life.
Our old friends have assembled for a number of years at our home, to cast off winter cares and catch up with another year of living. Prayer For Peace was introduced and first sung by this group of folks during our annual Wassail. The spirit of these friends sharing songs together, along with our love for the old traditional carols, inspired me to produce my Christmas album, A Cup of Kindness…music for the season of joy. My purpose was to give cassettes to my friends and family as gifts. This recording is now available as a CD. There could be no better reward than the families who have told me that my gift to my friends has become part of their own family’s Holiday traditions.
Neil Woodward
Michigan’s Troubadour
Cohoctah, December 2011