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Praying for Peace at the Peace Pole by Freddi Danner After 9/11/01, a group of us from St. Augustine's met to try to figure out what we could do, be, as Christians after such an event. We studied, prayed, shared our thoughts, feelings, frustrations, and wondered what we could do at church to address our needs. Part of our answer was that we could take the time to specifically pray for peace. We gather after church at the Peace Pole, which is one of many planted throughout the world. Thus we feel connected to others around the world. We pray for world peace, we pray for rulers of nations, and we pray for peace in our own neighborhoods, families, and hearts. We say formal prayers and we say our own. I made an astounding discovery when I typed in "prayers for peace" on the Internet search engine. Prayers appeared, not only from Jerusalem, Australia, India, and other far away places, but there were prayers from all ages - during the Napoleonic Wars, a 6th century BCE Chinese philosopher, and a 17th century Rabbi. At once I knew we were not alone. It is Jesus' words that I keep hearing as we pray for peace, "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." (Matthew 18:19-20) I gain strength and feel sustained by our gathering and by the prayers. Our group varies in size from week to week and more are always welcome. Please join us after the 7:30 or 11:00 service.
Copyright © 2003 St. Augustine by-the-Sea
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