By Ben Smith

The Spirit of the One you follow is the spirit of love and peace. That Spirit seeks to abide in the hearts of those who would embrace its call and live its message.

[“Pursuit of Peace,” Jul/Aug 2021 Herald, pp. 24–25]

Pilgrims descend,
spiraling inwards, a journey triggering confluence of hopeful hearts both full and empty,
awaiting, anticipating. Disciples return to learn and discern where the Spirit calls.

Slow down they said, slow down.
Thoughts and perspectives,
sometimes selective, perhaps subjective, our thoughts confront the other.
Our brother, our sister, informed by our desire to proclaim.
For, against, our aim to persuade, using words to pervade our mind’s eye to the body.

Sacred noise of voice,
Our choice to change our speeches like rain on brass dome, love flows, yet the pain of movement when chained with God to some like nails on chalkboard, and to others the perfect chord.

Slow down they said, slow down.
But how can we slow down when there are people crying, children dying and governments prying?
How, when with ample fear we shed tear after tear, our hearts sear for hope, for change, and compassion to come near.

Hands go up, hands stay down,
We drown in pomp and ceremony, yet find comfort in the familiar. Chair turned bridge builder tasked not to bewilder but to unravel rubric and rule.
Decisions, revision, voted and disposed, we listen to each other, to God.
Blessed, we slow down.

Discernment and prayer,
as we prepare to share the peace of Christ to our worlds, we stand together.
Like birds of a feather we soar with the Spirit to new heights of oneness.
When we slow, like third cry of rooster’s crow, God lets us know we are one.
Slow down God said, slow down.

Now, spiraling outward,
cascading into the heart of humanity, building unity in diversity with a community that deserves God’s grace.
So today we stand. When we slow to understand, we walk hand in hand in a journey to peace.

Prayer Phrase

“We love because God first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Spiritual Practice

Sea of Light

Quiet and center yourself. Ask for God’s healing and guidance as you enter this time of prayerful presence. Close your eyes, breathing deeply and calmly. Imagine you are floating in a beautiful sea of light that rises and falls with each cycle of your breath. The golden light of this sea buoys you up, so you float effortlessly. Waves of light carry and wash over you, bringing wholeness and peace. Rest in the sea of God’s love; then offer a prayer of gratitude.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.