War is still not the answer. Occupation is not liberation. A WAR NEVER REALLY ENDS an interfaith response from by Phil Bentley of Jewish Peace Fellowship, Rabia Harris of Muslim Peace Fellowship, and Janet Chisholm of Episcopal Peace Fellowship We are Americans, US citizens Followers of many spiritual traditions Compelled to speak, for ourselves and for others. Convinced that war achieves neither freedom nor peace. Called to speak the truth as our faiths demand. May we be filled with the strength to seek peace. War will not end when the guns are silent. Violence can never lead to peace. Our government does not faithfully represent us Therefore it is our obligation to speak. We will bear the responsibility. We will willingly accept what is required. We will stand against the forces of death. We will stand for life. May we be filled with the courage to seek peace. Duty calls upon us to prohibit violence Directed at our helpless brothers and sisters To limit the monstrous domination of war To repair the ruin, whenever, wherever we can: The direct horrors inflicted on the people The damage to their homes, lands, heritage, institutions The disruption of their eating, drinking, traveling, breathing, living May we be filled with the compassion to seek peace. We grieve for the harm to our own country The degradation suffered here in common The contagion of fear and distrust The restriction of our freedoms The quashing of our dialogue and dissent We grieve the terrible wounding of sisters and brothers sent to fight Children captured by the demons of war Who will suffer illness of body and spirit Whose families too absorb the blows of violence We grieve the rupture of families when a member is killed Parents, spouses, infants overcome with grief Losing a source of sustenance and survival May we be filled with the endurance to seek peace. War will not fulfill those government promises. For it is based on lies, and lies have been told. Here we stand on truth, and stand together. United as one humanity, here we are. We grasp the horror of war in all its fullness. And embrace it with our joined compassion. May we be filled with the vision of peace. Recognizing our weakness We call on the Spirit of Mercy to guide us now. Nothing is stronger. The spirit will prevail. Amen. |
More Prayers for Peace: Sufi Prayer for Peace from Hazrat Inayat Khan (1882-1927): Send Thy peace, O Lord, which is perfect and everlasting, that our souls may radiate peace. Send Thy peace, O Lord, that we may think, act, and speak harmoniously. Send Thy peace, O Lord, that we may be contented and thankful for Thy bountiful gifts. Send Thy peace, O Lord, that amidst our worldly strife we may enjoy Thy bliss. Send Thy peace, O Lord, that we may endure all, tolerate all, in the thought of Thy grace and mercy. Send Thy peace, O Lord, that our lives may become a divine vision, and in Thy light all darkness may vanish. Send Thy peace, O Lord, our Father and Mother, that we, Thy children on earth, may all unite in one family. Amen. From the Service of Remembrance and Reconciliation held on September 11, 2002, at my church, St. Luke's Episcopal in Atlanta: O God, you created us to live together as brothers and sisters; open our hearts to all who suffer from injustice and live in the midst of violence and war. Bless all who have died and restore to all those who survive the gift of hope and peace. Amen. Loving God of all people, deliver us from hardness of heart, hatred and revenge, that we might love our enemies and make peace with those who hate us, and all for your love's sake. Amen. Prayer for Peace from Pax Christi: O God, you are the source of life and peace. Praised be your name forever. We know it is you who turn our minds to thoughts of peace. Hear our prayer in this time of war. Your power changes hearts. Muslims, Christians, and Jews remember, and profoundly affirm, that they are followers of the one God, children of Abraham, brothers and sisters; enemies begin to speak to one another; those who were estranged join hands in friendship; nations seek the way of peace together. Strengthen our resolve to give witness to these truths by the way we live. Give to us: Understanding that puts an end to strife; Mercy that quenches hatred; and Forgiveness that overcomes vengeance. Empower all people to live in your law of love. Amen. 11,000 poets have joined Poets Against the War -- including me (click here to read my poem on their website) and my friend Jennifer Carlile (click here to read her poem) Check out the Peace Atlanta website |
War is still not the answer. Occupation is not liberation. A WAR NEVER REALLY ENDS an interfaith response from by Phil Bentley of Jewish Peace Fellowship, Rabia Harris of Muslim Peace Fellowship, and Janet Chisholm of Episcopal Peace Fellowship We are Americans, US citizens Followers of many spiritual traditions Compelled to speak, for ourselves and for others. Convinced that war achieves neither freedom nor peace. Called to speak the truth as our faiths demand. May we be filled with the strength to seek peace. War will not end when the guns are silent. Violence can never lead to peace. Our government does not faithfully represent us Therefore it is our obligation to speak. We will bear the responsibility. We will willingly accept what is required. We will stand against the forces of death. We will stand for life. May we be filled with the courage to seek peace. Duty calls upon us to prohibit violence Directed at our helpless brothers and sisters To limit the monstrous domination of war To repair the ruin, whenever, wherever we can: The direct horrors inflicted on the people The damage to their homes, lands, heritage, institutions The disruption of their eating, drinking, traveling, breathing, living May we be filled with the compassion to seek peace. We grieve for the harm to our own country The degradation suffered here in common The contagion of fear and distrust The restriction of our freedoms The quashing of our dialogue and dissent We grieve the terrible wounding of sisters and brothers sent to fight Children captured by the demons of war Who will suffer illness of body and spirit Whose families too absorb the blows of violence We grieve the rupture of families when a member is killed Parents, spouses, infants overcome with grief Losing a source of sustenance and survival May we be filled with the endurance to seek peace. War will not fulfill those government promises. For it is based on lies, and lies have been told. Here we stand on truth, and stand together. United as one humanity, here we are. We grasp the horror of war in all its fullness. And embrace it with our joined compassion. May we be filled with the vision of peace. Recognizing our weakness We call on the Spirit of Mercy to guide us now. Nothing is stronger. The spirit will prevail. Amen. |
