I pray for your peace in troubled lands, in places where people fear each day, in cities or villages under threat of danger. I pray your peace into the hearts of those who hate, into the minds of those who live in anger, of those who long for revenge. The hot winds of war sweep over so many lives, dear God, terror, and cruelty following in their wake, I do not know what else to do, but stand here making my appeal to heaven. Peace, I pray. Peace against all the odds, peace without compromise, peace strong and enduring, peace so children never worry as they go to sleep. 

— Steven Charleston, Episcopal bishop, and citizen of the Choctaw Nation 

When I was child, I remember the hope and the horror of the civil rights’ movement. I remember the outrage that I felt concerning the injustices that we were made aware of through the medium of the television. I remember wondering “why?”  

I remember feeling that if I could only have a big microphone on a tall soap box, I could fix this problem. Really, I did. I would speak clearly and distinctly into the microphone. Oh, I forgot to mention that with this world-wide microphone, every person would be gathered together, standing shoulder to shoulder, no guns, no knives, no weapons of hurt.  

Then, speaking clearly and gently, I would ask each person to turn to the right and greet their neighbor; turn to the left and do the same, to the back and so on.  These are our neighbors, our sisters and brothers, our cousins, our friends and, yes, some would be considered enemies, but did they need to be enemies? Why can’t we get along? Respect and honor each other as members of the human race. 

Admittedly, it was a child’s response to a perplexing situation. One complicated by years of hatred and hurt. However, is it so unrealistic to think that we as God’s children cannot make peace with each other. Why don’t we turn to each other with love in our hearts and help in our hands. We have the ability to do this. 

The prayer at the beginning of the blog is circulating widely in various media. Without my microphone, I admit to feeling helpless when I see terror and destruction facing parts of our world. I feel the frustration of not being able to use my magic words to cure all the world’s ills. I recognize and humbly accept that my role in this chapter of world history is to follow my God’s example of unconditional love and pray without ceasing. 

Yes, God does love you unconditionally and the people of Israel, the Gaza strip, Ukraine, Russia, the Sudan, Afghanistan, Nicaragua – really the whole world and everyone and everything in it. Let’s follow His example. 

Terri