April 27, 2024
As we approach the final days of our 21 days of prayer, we turn to a recurrent theme in the messages of our Lord and our church.
Matthew 5: 9
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
Peacemaking may be one of the most difficult professions, with precious few role models. Too often we ask why something happened. Perhaps we should consider the response suggested by Rabbi Harold S. Kushner when he suggested:
"to forgive the world for not being perfect,
to forgive God for not making a better world,
to reach out to people around us,
and to go on living despite it all . . .
no longer asking why something happened,
but asking how we will respond,
what we intend to do now that it has happened."
In our own worship service of April 14 (Day 7) our pastor, Russ Willis, said,
"The world once again seems to be spinning into war; and it is a time to reflect on the fact that wars and rumors of wars seem to be a constant in our human life. But it is also something that we, as Christians, are called to never take for granted or to assume that it has the power. We are called to be peacemakers as the church."
"This does not mean, however, that we have to go over and figure out how to stop the Iran - Israel War, or even the Iran - Iraq War. A prayer for peace is something Christians have always prayed and should always continue to pray. How we as individuals can participate in that process of world peace is to begin making peace with someone in our own sphere - that is the best way to make peace. In fact, if peace ever happens in the Middle East, I think it is going to be because people actually live together and make peace on a one to one basis."
"How can we be peacemakers? Well, look around this week and you will find opportunities to make peace in your own family, or among friends, or among strangers. Peace does not mean just ceasing war, or ceasing violent behavior. It is about being well-being. Maybe you are a peacemaker by going and visiting someone who is troubled. It is a great place to start peacemaking - and if it does not work the first time, pray you have the strength and patience to try again."
Day 20 – April 27
Contributed by Linda Ayer
Peace Prayer of Saint Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred,
let me sow love;
where there is injury,
pardon;
where there is doubt,
faith;
where there is despair,
hope;
where there is darkness,
light;
where there is sadness,
joy.
O divine Master, grant that
I may not so much seek
to be consoled
as to console,
to be understood
as to understand,
to be loved
as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning
that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying
that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
Contributed by Rev. David O'Brien
A Prayer For The World
by Rabbi Harold S. Kushner
Let the rain come and wash away
the ancient grudges, the bitter hatreds
held and nurtured over generations.
Let the rain wash away the memory
of the hurt, the neglect.
Let the sun come out and
fill the sky with rainbows.
Let the warmth of the sun heal us
wherever we are broken.
Let it burn away the fog so that
we can see each other clearly.
So that we can see beyond labels,
beyond accents, gender, or skin color.
Let the warmth and brightness
of the sun melt our selfishness.
So that we can share the joys and
feel the sorrows of our neighbors.
And let the light of the sun
be so strong that we will see all
people as our neighbors.
Let the earth, nourished by rain,
bring forth flowers
to surround us with beauty.
And let the mountains teach our hearts
to reach upward to heaven.
Amen.
Looking Ahead
Lord You are our Lamp and Shield
Your way is perfect,
and Your word is true;
You are our Light and Refuge.
Some of our prayers on the National Day of Prayer
will focus on our Military as a peacemaker
Almighty, Authority, Shield,
Strong Tower, and Strength,
we lift up the Word and light up the Military
through our prayers.
Ephesians 6: 10-11, 17-18
Finally be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
Put on the full armor of God
so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes . . .
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit
on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying
for all the saints.
May God continue to bless our prayer journey together.
Board of Deacons
United Church of Colchester