We have reached the fifth day, dedicated to praying for this gift that surpasses all understanding: inner peace. Amidst the tribulations of daily life, worries about the future, painful memories of the past and worries of the present, it is very easy to lose the serenity of the soul.
The peace that Christ offers us is born of trust in God and the certainty of being loved by Him, even in the midst of storms. It is a peace that can coexist with challenges — Padre Pio, for example, faced countless persecutions, physical suffering and spiritual battles, but in his heart reigned the trust and surrender that give peace.
To seek inner peace, it is essential to forgive and ask for forgiveness, to release the chains of guilt through reconciliation and to nourish the soul with prayer. Padre Pio considered prayer to be the “oxygen of the soul” — without it, our interior drowns in anguish; with it, we breathe divine hope and consolation.
“Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace, my heart is searching for serenity. You know well how much the winds of worries have stirred the waters of my soul. Therefore, just as the apostles cried out in the midst of the storm, I cry out to You today: Lord, save me, I am perishing! Come calm the waves of my thoughts, come rebuke the winds of my anxiety, saying: “Silence! Calm down!” so that a great calm may return within me.
Pour out, O Jesus, your peace that the world cannot give. This peace does not depend on the absence of problems, but is the fruit of the certainty that You are with me at all times. Increase my faith so that I firmly believe that nothing happens without Your permission, and that, if You allow it, even crosses can become a path to sanctification and greater good. Drive away from me the spirit of fear and confusion that the evil one tries to instill. Like Saint Padre Pio, I want to always repeat: “Jesus, I trust in You!” and thus rest confidently in Your Heart.
Forgive me, Lord, for the sins that steal my peace. I recognize that many concerns arise when I distance myself from You or when I hold grudges against my brothers. Grant me the grace of sincere forgiveness: that I may know how to forgive those who have offended me (for I do not want to carry the weight of resentment that takes away my peace) and that I may also humbly ask forgiveness from those I have offended. Destroy, Lord, all pride in me and heal wounded relationships. Reconcile me with You through true repentance and reconcile me with others through love. Thus, by eliminating these obstacles, peace will flow freely in my soul again.
Holy Spirit, Comforter of souls, fill me with your presence. Where your Spirit is, there is freedom, serenity and trust. Rock my restless heart as a mother rocks a crying baby. Make me truly feel like a beloved child of God, held in your arms. In your divine silence, speak to my heart, reinforcing that I am loved, that I have value in your eyes and that nothing bad will separate me from your love. May this certainty bring calm to my feelings and thoughts.
Lord, teach me to rest in You. May I seek moments of silence and prayer every day to talk to You and breathe spiritually. I remember the example of Padre Pio: even in the midst of so much suffering, he found peace in long hours before the Tabernacle, giving everything to You. Perhaps I cannot be physically before You in the Tabernacle at all times, but I want now to open the tabernacle of my heart and welcome You within me.
Stay with me, Lord, and I will fear nothing, for You are my Shepherd and I shall not want. I thank You, from now on, for the peace that is beginning to flood my being. I feel that You can tell me as You said to the forgiven sinner: “Go in peace, your faith has saved you.” Yes, Lord, my faith is in You and I receive peace from You. Stay with me so that this peace may last and I may also bring it to others around me. May my family, my friends and everyone I live with notice the change and also feel this peace that comes from You. Thank you, Jesus, for giving me Your Peace. I receive it with all my heart. Amen.”