Tag: Peace

A peace to strive for

Jurmala, Latvia

This photo has been sent to me by my friend, Andris, who lives in Latvia.

The photo was taken at Jurmala which is a seaside resort about 16 miles (25 kilometres) from the capital of Latvia, Riga. It has 33km (21 miles) of white-sand beach and a population of almost 50,000
When Latvia was part of the Soviet Union it was a favourite place of Communist Party officials including Presidents Leonid Brezhnev and Nikita Krushchev.
The people of Latvia and their Baltic neighbours, Lithuania and Estonia are praying that the current president of Russia doesn’t come calling with his army!
As they are members of NATO there is some defence.

They join with the Nordic States of Finland and Sweden in a watchfulness as things continue to unfold in the Ukraine. They know they are at risk, especially Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia as well as Finland, all of which border Russia. Sweden is also feeling vulnerable.

I write this just after the Russian Terrorist attack in Kremenchuk. Scores of people are dead or injured in what many are now calling a ‘War Crime’. The attack  was a show of power to the G7 leaders but  what it really showed is the demonic force at work in the hearts of Russia’s leaders.

The photos coming out of Ukraine are horrendous.

Contrast that with this beautifully serene photograph of the Baltic Sea. There is an amazing tranquillity with a pale sun kissing the water in the distance. There is a sense of peace.
The sky is uncluttered and blue and even the clouds seem to be resting gently on the surface of the water.
How different that is to the trauma and turmoil in the vortex of violence  near that other sea, the Black Sea.

Yet, there is, too, a little blackness in the clouds, perhaps sending to us a warning. Peace is fragile. Humanity can be threatened and be threatening very quickly. Many of us are fearful of what is happening to our world right now and there is a sense of foreboding and apprehension, not least in the nations close to Russia.

This makes the prayer below all the more poignant and deeply appropriate.
It was written by Jeanne Smith, a Latvian lady in one of the Reformed churches and translated into English.

Prayer: 

“Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray for the people of Ukraine,
give them strength and miraculous protection from the horrors of war.
I pray for the people of Russia,
God, to allow them to see the truth and to give them the courage to face the terrible regime. 
I pray for the people of Latvia and other countries,
give us open hearts and wisdom on how to help the refugees. 
I ask that there be unity and love among people, that evil be destroyed,
and that peace may come, so that more and more people may have the eternal peace
that only You can give.
All this I ask of you in the name of Jesus Christ, and for his merit.
Amen”

Angel of peace for Ukraine

We continue to pray for Ukraine and world peace.

The painting above is by a Ukrainian Contemporary artist, Olesya Hudyma and is titled ‘Woman with Dove Angel of Peace’. It is available to download digitally to help fund her work in Ukraine. It has been painted as a prayer in this time of warfare in her country.

She began painting in 2007 and she is self taught

Speaking about her artworks, she says that they have an emotionally evocative style of painting which is characterized by an opulent colour palette and the texture of her work.

 “All the paintings are imbued with emotions and special images, outlined by quick brushstrokes. According to the topics, the paintings are systematized in series: «Sleepwalker», «Steps», «Angels of Peace for Ukraine», «Ukrainian Madonna», «Flowers» that are combined in different artistic ways : abstract art, expressionism, symbolism, magic realism and contemporary postmodernism. “

She also says of her work;  “I love that state of clarity which is like a prayer. All the noise, emotions, and thoughts calm down and I melt into the world full of colours and fantastic flowers.”

Her artworks are in private collections in Ukraine, United States, Canada, Armenia, England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Poland.

In August 2018 Ukrainian Postal Service issued a postage stamp with O. Hudyma’s picture «Bride», as a part of «Love is Life» series. Another picture «Tree of Life» was used for a First Day Cover.

You can see more about her and her work by going to her website:

Olesya Hudyma: Modern oil painting https://www.olesyahudyma.com

A Prayer for Ukraine

We pray for the people of Ukraine.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or peace,
for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions.
Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear,
that you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Amen

Sharing peace

My friend Joyce has recently visited ‘her’ puffins on the East coast. Here’s a glimpse of what she saw.

We meet in his name and share his peace.

Joyce has captured a moment of ecumenical unity in the bird world.
The puffins are gathered with the razorbills, sharing a common rock.
It could almost mirror a religious gathering.
At least two of the puffins are engaged in leading the hymns, or perhaps even an Anthem.
One of the birds may have tried to avoid the sermon by burying its head in the rock.

However you view it, there is a sense of harmony, a coming together in fellowship.

The longing for peace is at the heart of all religions. Sharing peace together is one of the joys of worship. It is more than a nod of greeting. In the Jewish faith, Shalom expresses something far deeper. It is “a feeling of contentment, completeness, wholeness, well-being, and harmony.” These are all the things we hope for each other and which we are to strive for.

In order for our ‘peace’ to be real and authentic it must begin in our hearts and it must come from God through us and others. So respect for each other is essential if our care and love is to grow. In the eyes and heart of God we are all equal. Followers of Jesus Christ are encouraged to follow a rule of St. Benedict which bids us to see Jesus in all we meet. We are all made in God’s image and likeness.

In the Muslim faith this is understood by the greeting Muslims use on meeting. As-salamu alaikum.
This greeting recognizes the worth of the other because they are important. The greeting receives the response Wa alaikum assalaam, and upon you be peace. One of the values of this is that it helps bind Muslims together as one family and also establish strong relationships with each other.

The Christian Greeting Joyce has chosen for her little ones on the rock is a central moment in the Eucharist, often called Holy Communion. That itself tells us that, together, we are gathered with our Lord Jesus Christ and because we are in communion (fellowship, with Him we are drawn to each other. We express this in The Peace.This greeting often includes the words Joyce has chosen : We meet in his name and share his peace.
Again, this roots our relationships with each other in the Peace Jesus gives to us. We may wave and smile but it goes much deeper. A word for our fellowship is Koinonia and it has a meaning that we are all drawn into a fellowship not only with each other but, and most importantly, with God. The Spirit of God fills our hearts and in so doing calls us into a ‘holy’ fellowship. Holiness, God’s gift to us, enfolds us  into the very being and love of God. When we are ‘holy’ we belong to God and to each other and we are filled with God.
We meet together in His name and share His peace and His love. We are to shine with it.

So why is it, then, that Mr Putin, a supposed Christian, and those who are led astray by him cannot practice this?

There may be a clue in these thoughts by Lao-Tze, a Chinese philosopher of the 6th Century BC. It applies to Putin and to all who are destroying Ukraine; and to the Taliban who are destroying the women of Afghanistan; and the leaders of Israel & Palestine who destroy each other. And it applies to us because war and violence begin much nearer home.

It’s a long time since 6th century BC but we can pray these words and apply them to our world today, starting with ourself.

If there is to be peace in the world,
There must be peace in the nations.
If there is to be peace in the nations,
There must be peace in the cities.
If there is to be peace in the cities,
There must be peace between neighbours.
If there is to be peace between neighbours,
There must be peace in the home.
If there is to be peace in the home,
There must be peace in the heart.

(Lao-Tse – 6th Century BCE)

[Mr G]

Peace, perfect peace

Peace, perfect peace. A Hymn of hope and comfort

As our world continues along the path of darkness and despair, we all need to spend more time and energy in working for peace.

Christians are now meditating on the Passion of Jesus Christ on the Cross in what we call Holy Week.. Muslims are half way through their holy season of Ramadan.
Jews begin their season of Passover on April 15th.
At the heart of all three Abrahamic religions is Salvation and peace; deliverance and love; penitence and renewal.
Never more than now are we called to grow peace in our hearts because that is always where conflict begins. The International prayer of Peace ends with that thought.

Lead us from Death to Life
from Falsehood to Truth
Lead us from Despair to Hope
from Fear to Trust
Lead us from Hate to Love
from War to Peace
Let Peace fill our Hearts
our World, our Universe
Peace Peace Peace

For us Christians, as we go through Holy Week, we are reminded of what Jesus said to his disciples before his arrest which led to his crucifixion. After speaking to them (and therefore us) of love in which we are held by God. This love is linked with living our lives in peace.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

The other day I was reminded of a beautiful hymn written by Edward Bickersteth who was both a priest and a poet. After a ministry as a parish priest he became Bishop of Exeter. He wrote this hymn in 1875.
It was in response to a sermon he heard whilst on holiday in Harrogate. The text of this sermon was “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee,”
The hymn Bickersteth wrote contains lines with four Question Marks followed by four answers.
The final stanza where everything is drawn up into the perfect peace which Jesus gives us in the gift of heaven.

It is best sung to Orlando Gibbons tune, Song 46

Though often used as a personal hymn of comfort it also has a universal challenge. The hope and comfort it speaks of has its own Question Mark to us all. During this special week it can be a meditation on the peace which we all must work for in ourselves and equally importantly in our world.

Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.

Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed?
To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.

Peace, perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours?
Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers.

Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown?
Jesus we know, and he is on the throne.

It is enough: earth’s struggles soon shall cease,
and Jesus call to heaven’s perfect peace.

[Mr G]