'GOD, our Heavenly Father, Lord of peace and justice, we humbly come before you during this time of escalating geopolitical tensions in our part of the world. ... Have mercy on us, Lord; rescue us from the malevolent forces that influence world leaders. For we believe that '... our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.''

So goes, in part, the Oratio Imperata for Peace, issued by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on July 22 to be prayed at Masses throughout the country until January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and the World Day of Peace in the Catholic Church.