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Hope for the Vulnerable
October 27 is just around the corner, and Spiritual Directors International is eager to celebrate twenty-five years since the first Assisi World Day of Prayer for Peace. On October 27, 1986, spiritual leaders from around the world met in Assisi, Italy, to pray for peace. It was the first time in human history that such a gathering took place.
As we draw nearer to this historic date, ten-word prayers for peace are pouring in from around the world. We’ve received prayers from Afghanistan, Australia, India, and Ireland; from New Zealand, Nigeria, and South Africa. We’ve received prayers for hope, for an end to violence, and for the awakening of truth.
Suzanne Johnson of British Columbia, Canada, prays:
“May the presence of peace provide hope for the vulnerable.”
Often, peace is understood as a meditative state or simply the absence of conflict. Johnson’s prayer, however, taps into the creative possibility of peace kindling hope for those who most need it.
Since the financial crisis of 2009, many around the world have lost their homes, jobs, or sense of security. And as a result, many individuals are finding themselves, for the first time, vulnerable. While governments work to create jobs and keep economies running, people are seeking a new source of hope in their lives. This is evident in the many “Occupy Wall Street” protests occurring around the world. From New York to Cape Town, people are calling out for hope.
As we near the anniversary of the first Assisi World Day of Prayer for Peace, let us be conscious of the world we are living in and its pleas for a peace that does justice. Join us on October 25 at Rolling Ridge Retreat Center, USA, or in your home communities, as we gather to pray: “May the presence of peace provide hope for the vulnerable.”
To create a community gathering for peace, use the SDI Moving toward Peace Community Gathering guide. This resource is meant to serve as an outline, so feel free to add your favorite peace songs, poems, and rituals to your community gathering for peace.
