--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Prayer is the beginning and the end, the…" description: "\"Prayer is the beginning and the end, the source and the fruit, the core and the content, the basis and the goal of all peacemaking.\" — Henri Nouwen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c2/henri-nouwen-600_bases_prayer-is-the-beginning-and-the-end-the_550370.png" --- # Prayer is the beginning and the end, the source and the… ![“Prayer is the beginning and the end, the source and the fruit, the core and the content, the basis and the goal of all peacemaking.” quote by Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c2/henri-nouwen-600_bases_prayer-is-the-beginning-and-the-end-the_550370.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c2/henri-nouwen-600_bases_prayer-is-the-beginning-and-the-end-the_550370.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c2/henri-nouwen-600_bases_prayer-is-the-beginning-and-the-end-the_550370.png) > “Prayer is the beginning and the end, the source and the fruit, the core and the content, the basis and the goal of all peacemaking.” [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Peace work begins and ends with prayer, serving as both the foundation and the outcome of all reconciliation efforts. **In simple terms:** Prayer starts and ends peace work. Key Takeaway Make prayer central to conflict resolution. Themes faith peace spiritual practice Mood hopeful serene Type spiritual inspirational When to use this quote - mediations - community building - personal reflection - interfaith dialogue Key Concepts Christian mysticism conflict resolution Questions to Reflect On - How does prayer shape your approach to conflict? - What non‑spiritual steps complement prayer? A Different Perspective Relying solely on prayer may overlook practical actions needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bases/) [Basis Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basis-goal-4582776/) [Beginning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beginning/) [Beginning End](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beginning-end-277530/) [Core](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/core/) [End](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end/) [Ends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ends/) [Fruit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fruit/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goal Peacemaking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal-peacemaking-4582775/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Peacemaking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peacemaking/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [Prayer Beginning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer-beginning-867816/) [Source](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/source/) ## Related quotes > [“Make a ritual ablution before each prayer, beginning every action with "In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful." First wash your hands,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ibn-arabi/make-a-ritual-ablution-before-each-prayer-beginning-every-action-with/) [Ibn Arabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ibn-arabi/) > [To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/to-clasp-the-hands-in-prayer-is-the-beginning-of-an-uprising-against/) [Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) > [The First Continental Congress made its first act a prayer, the beginning of a great tradition. We have then a lesson from the founders…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/the-first-continental-congress-made-its-first-act-a-prayer-the/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [As long as our restlessness, anxiety, and feelings of guilt dominate our work as peacemakers we cannot last long. But when we have opened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/as-long-as-our-restlessness-anxiety-and-feelings-of-guilt-dominate/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Peacemaking is a full-time vocation that includes each member of God's people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/peacemaking-is-a-full-time-vocation-that-includes-each-member-of-god/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Feelings of guilt dominate our work as peacemakers we cannot last long. But when we have opened each other's eyes to the great human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/feelings-of-guilt-dominate-our-work-as-peacemakers-we-cannot-last/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [I hope someday you will join us and the world will live as one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lennon/i-hope-someday-you-will-join-us-and-the-world-will-live-as-one/) [John Lennon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lennon/) > [“Avoiding conflict isn’t peacemaking. Avoiding conflict means running away from the mess while peacemaking means running into the middle of it. Peacemaking means addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-haymes/avoiding-conflict-isn-t-peacemaking-avoiding-conflict-means-running/) [Peggy Haymes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-haymes/) > [That in itself is an act of peacemaking, because we're seeking to align our wills with God's will, our dreams with God's dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-d-mclaren/that-in-itself-is-an-act-of-peacemaking-because-we-re-seeking-to/) [Brian D. McLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-d-mclaren/) > [For peace is not mere absence of war, but is a virtue that springs from force of character: for obedience is the constant will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baruch-spinoza/for-peace-is-not-mere-absence-of-war-but-is-a-virtue-that-springs/) [Baruch Spinoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baruch-spinoza/) > [“Peace begins at the end of prejudice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/peace-begins-at-the-end-of-prejudice/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“If choosing to love first can change enemies into friends on the battlefield of Iraq, I know that it can right here, in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-oestreich/if-choosing-to-love-first-can-change-enemies-into-friends-on-the/) [Diana Oestreich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-oestreich/) > [While cares will drop off like autumn leaves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/while-cares-will-drop-off-like-autumn-leaves/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [All works of love are works of peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/all-works-of-love-are-works-of-peace/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [“There is no time for patience - there is no time for diplomacy - there is no time for policies, legislations and meaningless paperwork.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/there-is-no-time-for-patience-there-is-no-time-for-diplomacy-there-is/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) ## More by Henri Nouwen > [We are not the healers, we are not the reconcilers, we are not the givers of life. We are sinful, broken, vulnerable people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/we-are-not-the-healers-we-are-not-the-reconcilers-we-are-not-the/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [The more we touch the intimate love of God which creates, sustains, and guides us, the more we recognize the multitude of fruits that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/the-more-we-touch-the-intimate-love-of-god-which-creates-sustains-and/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Feelings of guilt dominate our work as peacemakers we cannot last long. But when we have opened each other's eyes to the great human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/feelings-of-guilt-dominate-our-work-as-peacemakers-we-cannot-last/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [...we all want to hear stories, from the moment we are born to the moment we die. Stories connect our little lives with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/we-all-want-to-hear-stories-from-the-moment-we-are-born-to-the-moment/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [I have found it very important...to let go of my wishes and start hoping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/i-have-found-it-very-important-to-let-go-of-my-wishes-and-start-hoping/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Simply being with someone is difficult because it asks of us that we share in the other's vulnerability, enter with him or her into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/simply-being-with-someone-is-difficult-because-it-asks-of-us-that-we/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Somewhere we know that without silence, words lose their meaning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/somewhere-we-know-that-without-silence-words-lose-their-meaning/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Jesus says, "Keep your heart on the kingdom first. Keep your heart on God's love. Keep focused on the fact that you are God's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/jesus-says-keep-your-heart-on-the-kingdom-first-keep-your-heart-on/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [This sounds very simple and maybe even trite, but very few people know that they are loved without condition or limits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/this-sounds-very-simple-and-maybe-even-trite-but-very-few-people-know/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [“The more preoccupied we are with security the more visible the force of death becomes, whether in the form of a pistol beside our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/the-more-preoccupied-we-are-with-security-the-more-visible-the-force/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [If you feel a great loneliness and a deep longing for human contact, you have to be extremely discerning...and ask yourself whether this situation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/if-you-feel-a-great-loneliness-and-a-deep-longing-for-human-contact/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [I choose L'Arche; L'Arche chooses me. I would be dead if I weren't here. I need people to love me and care for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/i-choose-l-arche-l-arche-chooses-me-i-would-be-dead-if-i-weren-t-here/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [The truth, even though I cannot feel it right now, is that I am the chosen child of God, precious in God's eyes, called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/the-truth-even-though-i-cannot-feel-it-right-now-is-that-i-am-the/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [In a world so torn apart by rivalry, anger, and hatred, we have the privileged vocation to be living signs of a love that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/in-a-world-so-torn-apart-by-rivalry-anger-and-hatred-we-have-the/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Where true inner freedom is, there is God. And where God is, there we want to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/where-true-inner-freedom-is-there-is-god-and-where-god-is-there-we/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) [Explore all 452 Henri Nouwen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) ## More Bases quotes > [Self-respect and a clear conscience are powerful components of integrity and are the basis for enriching your relationships with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/self-respect-and-a-clear-conscience-are-powerful-components-of/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [I don't want to go into space because of war. I think we would if it was triggered. If China said they want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/i-don-t-want-to-go-into-space-because-of-war-i-think-we-would-if-it/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [The United States cannot and should not discriminate on the basis of religion. The free exercise of religion is at the very heart of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-united-states-cannot-and-should-not-discriminate-on-the-basis-of/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [According to the best research, less than 3% of Americans have written goals, and less than 1% review and rewrite their goals on a daily basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/according-to-the-best-research-less-than-3-of-americans-have-written/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [When the Lord Jesus Christ became my surety . . . He went to Calvary's cross, and all my guilt was charged against Him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-allen-ironside/when-the-lord-jesus-christ-became-my-surety-he-went-to-calvary-s/) [Henry Allen Ironside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-allen-ironside/) > [I'm in a business where there's complete anarchy. You can't control it - you can only react to it. The control that people traditionally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sorrell/i-m-in-a-business-where-there-s-complete-anarchy-you-can-t-control-it/) [Martin Sorrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sorrell/) > [This tendency to avoid problems and the emotional suffering inherent in them is the primary basis of all human mental illness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/this-tendency-to-avoid-problems-and-the-emotional-suffering-inherent/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) > [There are dangers in consensus: it could be an attempt to satisfy people holding no particular views about anything. ... No great party can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/there-are-dangers-in-consensus-it-could-be-an-attempt-to-satisfy/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [There's no way to have a peace agreement unless the mediator or negotiator looks at both sides from an equal basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/there-s-no-way-to-have-a-peace-agreement-unless-the-mediator-or/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Coercion is the basis of every law in the universe,--human or divine. A law is not law without coercion behind it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/coercion-is-the-basis-of-every-law-in-the-universe-human-or-divine-a/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [Each Act of Parliament intended to address harassment and discrimination has faced objections on the basis of 'you'll never be able to prove...' and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-field/each-act-of-parliament-intended-to-address-harassment-and/) [Tim Field](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-field/) > [If you want good behavior, don't pay on a commission basis. Our judges aren't paid so much a case. We keep them pretty well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/if-you-want-good-behavior-don-t-pay-on-a-commission-basis-our-judges/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [My favorite thing about being a mom is just what a better person it makes you on a daily basis,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-barrymore/my-favorite-thing-about-being-a-mom-is-just-what-a-better-person-it/) [Drew Barrymore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-barrymore/) > [We have committed ourselves to pursue joint policies, but then national governments say, "We aren't bound by that." That is a dramatic situation, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/we-have-committed-ourselves-to-pursue-joint-policies-but-then/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) [Browse all 2,701 Bases quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bases/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Prayer is the beginning and the end, the source and the fruit, the core and the content, the basis and the goal of all peacemaking.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Henri Nouwen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/prayer-is-the-beginning-and-the-end-the-source-and-the-fruit-the-core/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bases" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/prayer-is-the-beginning-and-the-end-the-source-and-the-fruit-the-core/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c2/henri-nouwen-600_bases_prayer-is-the-beginning-and-the-end-the_550370.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c2/henri-nouwen-600_bases_prayer-is-the-beginning-and-the-end-the_550370.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c2/henri-nouwen-600_bases_prayer-is-the-beginning-and-the-end-the_550370.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Prayer is the beginning and the end, the source and the fruit, the core and the content, the basis and the…” — Henri Nouwen", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Henri Nouwen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Prayer is the beginning and the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/prayer-is-the-beginning-and-the-end-the-source-and-the-fruit-the-core/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/prayer-is-the-beginning-and-the-end-the-source-and-the-fruit-the-core/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```