I pray the day will come, Lord,
when I'll no longer need to pray for peace
- but that day's not today...
So once again...
I pray for an end to all aggression,
terrorism and violence
and for peace between those nations
still and now at war...
I pray for peace across our nation
and for the healing of all that tears us apart...
I pray for a spirit of peaceful cooperation
in and between the branches of government,
legislative, executive and judicial...
I pray for peace in our neighborhoods
and for those afraid to walk down the street
on the way to work or school or the store...
I pray for peace in our homes and our families
and in the lives of those with no place to call home...
I pray for peace among different religions
that faith be the bond to bring us together...
I pray for the healing of hate and resentment
and for peace among coworkers,
colleagues and classmates...
I pray for peace in my own life
between me and those with whom I'm at odds...
I pray for a spirit of peace in the hearts
of those who hold sway with power and might...
I pray for peace in the hearts of us all:
peace in our minds and peace in our thoughts,
peace in our hearts and peace in our souls,
peace in our words and peace in our deeds,
peace in our hopes, in our dreams and our plans
and peace between us and you, O Lord,
the peace that is only yours to give,
the peace for which we hunger an thirst,
the peace you pour forth from your heart,
the peace we're called to make and to share...
Protect us, Lord, while we're awake
and watch over us while we sleep
that awake, we might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
Tonight's song is a powerful, arresting piece of music. It's not scripture based, it's Kim Andre Arnesen's musical setting of Charles Silvestri's poetry. The composition might deconstruct some of our naive notions, redefine our hope and set our agenda...
What Is Peace?
by Kim Andre Arnesen and Charles Silvestri
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Peace is not a silent state
That comes upon us from within -
serene, detached, oblivious.
Peace is not a force like rain
That comes, unbidden, from above -
gentle, enfolding, natural.
Peace is fire! Peace is passion!
Peace requires strength of will,
A certain courage, a heart of iron,
A force abiding to fulfill.
Peace is not a foregone fate;
For peace, like war, must be waged—
Mindfully, deliberately,
With arms ever ready,
And eyes wide open.
The waging of peace is our highest call.
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