Highlighted article: Prayer—a game-changer in times of conflict By Josh Niles
A member writes ...
I woke this morning with this hymn in my thoughts. It’s a very simple prayer.
So simple that it might seem simple-minded to imagine that this course of action could actually work.
But it commends us to practice 'the simplicity that is in Christ’.
Let there be peace on earth,
and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth,
the peace that was meant to be.
With God our creator, we are family.
Let us walk with each other
in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me; let this
be the moment now.
With every step I take, let this
be my solemn vow:
To take each moment and live each
moment in peace eternally!
Let there be peace on earth,
and let it begin with me.
(Hymn. 521:1, 2)
A member shares this poem ...
“Zion-prayer” by Patricia R. Allen
Arab, Jew - Who are you? Inspiration, gives us grace To see, beyond mere human face, Man innocent in Soul’s embrace; Minus matter, minus race Unrepressed, his dignity; perfect, his integrity; Uncensored and beloved his name. God’s universe he calls his home: Mind’s kingdom -- clear infinity — without disputed boundary, Where no accuser trumpets wrong, but angels sing a peaceful song. Let every eye discriminate; accept the real, abandon hate. Let’s God’s true love define all men At one with Him and uncondemned.
*” ZION … inspiration, spiritual strength” (Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, p.599).
Another member writes ...
The all-power, all-knowledge and all-presence of God
In the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy describes God as omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient. If God is omnipresent He embraces both Israel and Gaza; in the past, in the present and in the future. If God is omnipotent His power overwhelms monarchies, socialist or democratic governments, terrorist organisations and international alliances. If God is omniscience His knowledge is unlimited and facilitates universal understanding.
As children of God we have the ability and responsibility to continually reaffirm that the destructive behaviours of different factions are human mistakes, which Truth and Love correct. In our prayers, we can know and demonstrate our love for God and our neighbour by acknowledging God’s complete and unifying presence, power and knowledge.
While in church one Wednesday evening I was thinking about the verse in Matthew, Chapter 18: “ Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Whether we be fellow worshippers at church, or warring factions in the middle East, God is there and will bring peace.
A member shares how she is praying ...
I’m praying with the CHRIST as the only presence, power and law. The one unifier drawing all people together with only one God that can heal centuries of hate right NOW.
Hymn 202 (adding the words ‘AND THERE’)
O dreamer leave thy dreams for joyful waking,
O captive, rise and sing, for thou are free;
The Christ is here AND THERE,
all dreams of error breaking.
Unloosing bonds of all captivity.
The chapter ‘The Saviour’s Mission’ in Unity of Good (p 59) by Mary Baker Eddy shows how this Christ is still the supreme power and can destroy all evil.
Ideas on perseverance and freedom ...
“I saw before me the awful conflict, the Red Sea and the wilderness; but I pressed on through faith in God trusting Truth, the strong deliverer, to guide me into the land of Christian Science, where fetters fall and the rights of man are fully known and acknowledged."
Ideas on brotherhood and light
From the Bible:
Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
(I John 2:8–11)
From Science and Health
“One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfils the Scripture, “Love thy neighbour as thyself;” annihiliates pagan and Christian idolatry — whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sxes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed.”
(S&H 340:21)
A member shares their thoughts...
It would seem, yet again, that the peace of this world is being destroyed by the hatred and atrocities of two antagonistic nations. And that innocent ones are suffering.
But how does God see it?
If God, good, created man in His/Her own image and likeness, then only goodness, love, compassion, kindness, unselfishness, control, humanity etc,--all divinely bestowed qualities-- can be expressed by man--by all men and nations. Hatred has no part of man's being and has no power since God is All. We must look away from the material picture constantly being presented, and seek the spiritual view of God's creating. As individuals we can pray to see the unfoldment of good for all men--and prayer is very powerful and meets all human needs
This verse from hymn number 217 in the Christian Science hymnbook-- shows the brotherhood and love we all have for each other. We are all one family, living in the peace and harmony that our Father-Mother God has bestowed on us.
Then brother man, fold to thy heart thy brother,
For where love dwells, the peace of God is there.
To worship rightly is to love each other,
Each smile a hymn, each kindly deed a prayer
'Being a Peacemaker'
Jaska Alanko
(Given at our testimony meeting on 18/10/2023)
The internationally active peace negotiator Martti Ahtisaari, who was awarded the Nobel Peace prize in 2008 died earlier this week. Mr Ahtisaari, who also served as president of Finland from 1994 to 2000, made a major contribution to peace negotiations in Namibia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Aceh, Kosovo and Northern Ireland, plus more.
Many statesmen from across the world have acknowledged and paid tribute to Mr Ahtisaari’s vital role in peace processes in conflict areas on many continents. He has been a force for good with a commitment to helping create peace.
Reading news about Mr Ahtisaari’s passing, whilst at the same time praying for peace in Ukraine, Israel and Gaza, such a devout peacemaker’s lifelong work has stood in stark contrast with the events unfolding in these warring areas. It has made me ask more than once, how can I be an effective peace maker as a Christian Scientist? Do my and everybody else’s prayers matter, can prayer really help bring peace when the material evidence before our eyes is so provocative and contrary to our highest ideals?
Ahtisaari said in his speech at the Nobel ceremony: “War and conflict are avoidable, because they are caused by people. War and conflict are always in the interests of some or other party. Therefore those who have power and influence, can also stop war.”
I have been inspired by what he said. It has empowered and inspired me to continue my prayer, feeling confident that we can stop wars. Prayer is my and our potent instrument for peace. We can launch it in the confidence that it has the desired impact.
Christ Jesus’ prayers were “deep and conscientious protests of Truth, of man’s likeness to God and man’s unity with Truth and Love” (Science and Health page 12).
Inspired by Jesus example, I protest, in my prayer, against all forms of evil, ego, malice, greed, craze for power, desire to subjugate our fellowman, obsession with material gain, any sense of helplessness in wrestling down these challenges.
In praying I am a courageous warrior for peace because I am the expression of Love, and as the reflection of Principle and Mind I am a faithful soldier of the omnipotent God - all wise, all loving, all acting, all knowing Father Mother God - of all his children. Whichever warring faction they represent.
I also know that absolutely nobody is outside God’s kingdom, all are ruled by his power and glory. The only power that has substance and intelligence, and lasts for ever.
Revenge, punishment, violence, condemnation or discrimination are not the all loving Father Mother God’s instruments - and as a protester I also reject them.
I pray to know, understand and affirm God’s power as the source of all peace. I protest against war, for peace.
Ideas on comfort and sustenance
From the Bible:
Luke 12: 32 "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
John 14:18 " I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you.”
From Science and Health
S&H 530: 5 “In divine Science, man is sustained by God, the divine Principle of being. The earth, at God’s command, brings forth food for man’s use. Knowing this, Jesus once said, ’Take no thought for your lif,what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink,” - presuming not on the prerogtive of his creator, but rcognising God,the Faither and Mother of all, as able to feed and clothe man as He doth the lilies.”
From the Lord's Prayer -
"Give us this day our daily bread." This is interpreted spiritually in Science and Health as 'Give us grace for today; feed the famished affections.' (S&H 17)
A contributor shares ...
I have been praying today with hymn 75 from the Christian Science Hymnal. The first verse reads:
”God comes with succour speedy
To those who suffer wrong;
To help the poor and needy,
And bid the weak be strong;
He comes to break oppression,
To set the captive free,
To take away transgression,
And rule in equity.
and The last verse is so encouraging:
“To Him shall prayer unceasing,
And daily vows ascend;
His kingdom still increasing,
A kingdom without end.
The tide of time shall never ,
His covenant remove;
His name shall stand forever:
His changeless name of Love.”
I love that God’s promise is for all Her people everywhere, right now,
And Love’s care is all powerful, nothing can obstruct it!
Another contributor shares ...
'But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice:’ (Matt. 9:13)
'If God makes sin, if good produces evil, if truth results in error, then Science and Christianity are helpless; but there are no antagonistic powers nor laws, spiritual or material, creating and governing man through perpetual warfare.' (SH 231:12–16 (to 1st .))
Another contributor continues ...
Praying for the Middle East, asking God what He knows is going on in the Middle East the wideness of His mercy came to mind and Hymn 340.
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
Like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in His justice,
Which is more than liberty.
For the love of God is broader
Than is seen by human mind,
And the heart of the Eternal
Is most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more simple,
We should take Him at His word;
And our lives would be all sunshine
In the sweetness of our Lord.
And then His love, mercy, kindness, justice know no bounds. This is what is really going on in the Middle East and everywhere.
And another...
From Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896 by Mary Baker Eddy, page 275: “Father, we thank Thee that Thy light and Thy love reach earth, open the prison to them that are bound, console the innocent, and throw wide the gates of heaven.”
One more ...
This verse from Isaiah (2: 4) is much in thought when thinking of the situation in the Middle East: "And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore".