 |
|
2
September
71
days to go |
|
At one time you were far away from God. But now you belong to Christ
Jesus. He spilled his blood for you. This has brought you near to God. Christ
himself is our peace.
Ephesians 2:11-18 (NIRV)
CHRIST OUR
PEACE
Around the world God is working through his
children who, as advocates for peace, bring healing to those whose lives have
been damaged by war. Some wounds are still raw and sensitive since the conflicts
may be recent or continuing. In those cultures, without a Christian world-view,
the call for revenge has to be replaced with a desire to forgive. The process
begins with those who are willing to take a first step towards
forgiveness.
One of my friends conducts ‘Healing the wounds of ethnic
conflict’ workshops in war-torn areas. Another is writing reconciliation songs
in culturally-sensitive ways and training young people from such areas to sing
them. Another has had to be moved out of a war-torn zone for her own safety.
Another is bringing aid to refugees and orphans in war-torn Iraq and seeking to
disciple them. Some address the historical nature of continuing antagonism in
order to dismantle ongoing prejudice and foster reconciliation. Others are
seeking to follow God’s leading in restorative justice, in dealing with past
genocides, as in Rwanda.
As we pray today for the victims from the
various wars, let us pray particularly for women and girls. They are the ones
who face the trauma of losing their fathers, husbands, brothers, sons. They are
the innocent victims. Their grief is seldom recognised, but God sees, knows, and
empathises. Can they learn to forgive also?
PRAYER
Father,
thank you that forgiveness is always available from you. Forgive us our sins as
we forgive those who sin against us. Please help all those who need to forgive
their enemies to do so with grace and love, and to embrace all that is involved,
with Christ’s help. Amen
ACTION
Fill a shoe-box
with children’s goodies and take it to a refugee family who have fled a conflict
zone. Listen to their story, and respond with love and
understanding.
Brian Mills is a British-based, international prayer
leader and author, and helps lead the international reconciliation
movement.
100 Days of Peace and Hope is available with
Bible readings, reflections and prayers for each week to download at www.remembrance100.co.uk/100-days |
|
|
