Prayer for Peace

It is my sincere hope that the following will be read in the spirit it is given, for it is not my intention to offend or impose any belief, but simply give rise to candid discussion.

I have been finding it very difficult to focus lately. Not a single subject I considered for a monthly article took root. And while I will unequivocally own my not inconsiderable powers of procrastination, this was over the top - even for me.

What did continue to fill my mind was the uninterrupted stream of images, writings and soundbytes on the forty-one 'conflicts' presently raging on our world. In particular the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. I want to be very careful here... I am not approaching this from a political standpoint, but rather from a humanitarian one.

"My empathy for the suffering in Gaza does not make me anti-Semitic, nor does it make me pro-Hamas or anti-Israel. It makes me Human." ~ David Harris Gershon

There are so many dissenting voices - so many arguments for 'right' or 'wrong,' when surely we should be considering the unbelievable human cost this ancient battle is bringing, in particular to the Palestinian people of Gaza, but ultimately to the people of Israel as well.

"In international conflicts, the truth is hard to come by because most nations are deceived about themselves. Rationalizations and the incessant search for scapegoats are the psychological cataracts that blind us to our sins. ... I agree with Dante, that the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in a period of moral crisis maintain their neutrality. There comes a time when silence becomes betrayal." ~ Martin Luther King

It takes courage to speak out, but speak out we must. We have been silent too long. We were silent in Nazi Germany. Are we to repeat this horror? We cannot afford another genocide. There have already been too many since those terrible days.

We are angry, and whether we are aware of it or not, long for truth. Without cessation in national self deception; the rationalizations and search for a scapegoat that Dr. King speaks of, we will continue to inflame each other. However, while agreeing there is a place for demonstration, even handed debate and outspoken dialogue, I suggest that perhaps prayer... focused, heartfelt prayer is the blessing that will ultimately heal us all.

From Marianne Williamson:

"Dear God,For the children of Gaza and for the children of Israel,

for the leaders in their right mind and for the leaders who are not, may Your Light pour forth

upon a darkened place.

Work a miracle

and end the war,

end the violence,

end the hatred

that has engulfed two peoples

who are One in You.

Lift their relationship

to divine right order,

out of darkness and into Light,

out of war and into peace,

out of fear and into Love.

Heal all hearts

of judgement and blame.

May insanity end,

and forgiveness prevail.

Touch them all, dear God.,

Repair the world.”

~Amen~

#prayer #peace #endwar #divine