Selected and adapted from https://www.spiritualityofconflict.com
Ruth Harvey is Leader of the Iona Community, an international, ecumenical Christian movement working for justice and peace, the rebuilding of community and the renewal of worship, founded in Glasgow in 1938.
God of the whisper and the yell,
of peace and of fury,
guard us this day and this night as we seek clarity within chaos.
May we embrace contradiction as a signal that what is in front of us really matters –
and so leads to deeper commitment to understand the other,
to the desire to push through paradox
until we land gently on truth –
truths that are bundled up
in the tiniest of moments
and the smallest of sparks
which we sing
from the ‘tip’ of our lungs,
in Jesus’ name.
Lord, may our lives speak.
May our lives speak through enthusiastic preaching which does not crave attention;
through quiet proclaiming of your Gospel hope;
through considered questions
offered in training and coaching and
a robust cajoling of the world and its leaders
to inhabit a culture of lasting peace with justice
that knows no borders
but is rooted in a sense
of home, in you.
Ellis Barnsley is a hospitality and support worker in the Corrymeela community, Northern Ireland's oldest peace and reconciliation organisation, established before “The Troubles” and continuing today in Northern Ireland's changing circumstances.
Jesus, who speaks peace in our place of fear, whose wounds provide healing –
Help us to be tender to the wounds of our own lives as we speak words of healing to others.
May the Spirit within bring us to the freedom of the forgiveness that you desire for us all.
Pádraig Ó Tuama is an Irish poet, theologian and conflict mediator. Pádraig brings language, violence and religion to his work.
Our deepest purpose is love. Make us people who live in our purpose.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the one who invites us to join him where he is.
Shared by Andy Bytheway
27 May 2022