In Time of Grave Tension: Prayer for the PHL’s claims in the South China Sea

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines on Monday issued an Oratio Imperata (mandatory prayer) to address the territorial dispute in the South China Sea.

The prayer "In Time of Grave Tension" asks God for peace over the islands and waters disputed by the Philippines and China.

The Philippine government refers to its claims in the area as the West Philippine Sea.

Also, the prayer sought the peaceful resolution of questions over the territory "through justice and respect for people’s rights."

The prayer also hoped that "no harm be done to our marine creatures and habitat."

"We pray that our fellow Filipinos protecting our islands and seas be kept safe from natural and man-made disasters," it added.

The full text of the prayer is as follows:

In Time of Grave Tension

O Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, the sky and the seas,
look kindly on us your children of the Philippine islands,
our home, now beset with tensions over our West Philippine Sea.

We pray to you for peace over that part of our islands and waters.
We pray that questions over it may be resolved through justice and respect for people’s rights.
We pray that no harm be done to our marine creatures and habitat.
We pray that our fellow Filipinos protecting our islands and seas
be kept safe from natural and man-made disasters.

Loving God you are wonderful Creator, our generous Provider of good things;
send your Holy Spirit of wisdom and understanding to our leaders
that they resolve this crisis with courage and in the spirit of dialogue.
Help us all to remain faithful to your Word and obedient to your Will always.

This we ask through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

—Joel Locsin/NB, GMA News