Today’s Prayer for Peace
By Ben Smith of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. —Psalm 34:14 NRSV
(Reflections on World Conference 2016)
Pilgrims descend,
spiraling inwards, a journey-triggering confluence of hopeful hearts both full and empty, awaiting, anticipating. Disciples return to learn and discern where the Spirit calls.
Slow down they said, slow down.
Thoughts and perspectives,
sometimes selective, perhaps subjective, our thoughts confront the other. Our brother, our sister, informed by our desire to proclaim.
For, against, our aim to persuade, using words to pervade our mind’s eye to the body.
Sacred noise of voice,
our choice to chant our speeches like rain on brass dome, love flows, yet the pain of movement when chained with God to some like nails on chalkboard, others the perfect chord.
Democracy, theocracy, comedy, and rationality, together pursuing grace and peace.
Slow down they said, slow down.
But how can we slow down when there are people crying, children dying, and governments prying?
How, when with ample fear we shed tear after tear, our hearts sear for hope, for change, and compassion to come near.
Hands go up, hands stay down,
we drown in pomp and ceremony, yet find comfort in the familiar. Chair turned bridge builder tasked not to bewilder but to unravel rubric and rule.
Decisions, revisions, voted and disposed, we listen to each other, to God.
Blessed, we slow down.
Discernment and prayer,
as we prepare to share the peace of Christ to our worlds, we stand together. Like bird of feather we soar with the Spirit to new heights of oneness.
When we slow, like third cry of roosters crow, God lets us know we are one.
Slow down God said, slow down.
Now, spiraling outward,
cascading into the heart of humanity, building unity in diversity with a community that deserves God’s grace.
So today we stand. When we slow to understand, we walk hand in hand in a journey to peace.
Prayer Phrase
God is with us.
Invitation to Spiritual Practice
Holy Attention
Ordinary time is a season for awakening to God’s presence in all the details and circumstances of our everyday, ordinary lives. Wherever you are, pay attention to your surroundings. Allow yourself to be fully present for a time with whatever is before you. Where do you sense God with you right now exactly where you are?
How does today’s poem invite you to discover God in the realities of your everyday life?
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click Click here to comment or read online.
