As the push toward war with Iraq intensifies, here is a simple, hopeful way to express to Congress, the White House and others our ongoing desire for the United States to step back from the brink of war.

The following prayer is intended to be sent directly to the people who have the power to reverse the rush to war - President Bush and his advisors, our Senators and Representatives, the media and, of course, U.S. citizens:

Every Sunday, congregations pray that our elected officials find a peaceful solution to Iraq's threats. It's time they know just how intently we are praying for them. A prayer recited over and over again becomes a mantra. And so this little prayer, recited on voice mails, sent in note cards, faxed and e-mailed, repeated regularly by a vast number of people, can become a steady, gentle, powerful mantra for peace.

Because, people of faith believe that prayer changes things.

How to deliver this prayer:

• In person. Call the people who most need this prayer and leave it on their voice mail or recite it to the person who answers the phone. Phone and address information for Congress can be found at http://thomas.loc.gov. For the White House see http://www.whitehouse.gov.
• By mail. For a note card that contains this prayer, click here, or go to the CRS web page www.catholicrelief.org and click on the "Iraq: past, present and future" section. From this page, select the section that is titled "Resources for Prayer and Action." Download the note card, print it and fold it in four. It will fit in an invitation-sized envelope. You can include a brief personal message.
• By e-mail or fax. See contact information above for elected officials. Forward this message to others on your e-mail list and invite them to join the mantra for peace.
• In prayer services. Bless one another with this prayer and recite it together. Provide the note cards, envelopes, stamps and addresses and allow time for people to personalize, sign and address their prayers. Collect them and mail them.
• In the Sunday bulletin. Include this prayer and its purpose in a bulletin announcement so that others in your faith community can join the mantra.
• In families. Recite the prayer together before or after meals. Include it among the bedtime prayers, or any time the family gathers to pray.
• In personal prayer. Visualize a person who has the power to lead us from the brink of war as you quietly repeat this mantra.
• Persistently and with faith. Consider committing to deliver this prayer daily to one or several people who need it.

What if war should begin?

Just as our desire for peace will continue should war begin, so must our active prayer for peace. Adjust the prayer slightly and keep the mantra going. A new note card would be made available on the CRS website.

More resources on stepping back from the brink of war with Iraq can be found on the CRS website at www.catholicrelief.org to go directly to the resources, click here.

Thank you for your faithful, hopeful commitment to peace.

For additional information, please contact Barb Ballenger, Advocacy Communications Specialist at 410-951-7424.

Click here to join the CRS Legislative Network, which provides timely updates on legislative action and resources on CRS issues. Or visit http://www.catholicrelief.org/legislativenetwork.cfm on our website.