Prayer and action needed to end violence, says St Ethelburga’s

-07/07/06

A special 7/7


Prayer and action needed to end violence, says St Ethelburga’s

-07/07/06

A special 7/7 prayer calling on all people of good faith ñ believers and otherwise ñ to break the cycles of violence which perpetuate war and terror in the world has been written by the staff at a central London church which was once badly damaged in a bomb attack itself.

St Ethelburgaís, in the heart of the city of London, which today remembers the victims of those killed and injured in the 7 July 2005 transport bomb attacks on the capital, is now a location for peace-building ñ with a ëbig tentí for exchange and the development of cooperation among people of different communities and convictions.

In 1993 it was partly destroyed by a bomb planted by the IRA, before the fragile peace process took root and moved forward in Ireland. It was re-built as a reconciliation centre.

The new prayer ñ which is an act of personal commitment ñ is primarily intended for religious believers, but it is also a universal call to reverence life, and may be adapted for personal reflection by humanists, agnostics and atheist too.

St Ethelburgaís is dedicated to spiritual practices and beliefs rooted in the Christian tradition, and open to those of other convictions, which create a dynamic for non-violence and equity in the world. It attracts those involved in specialist and community-based initiatives concerned with peacemaking, peace-building, conflict transformation and violence resolution.

People who use the centre recognise the enormous damage that can occur when religion is used for violent ends, when conflict between faiths stokes fear and enmity, and when people of faith and no faith clash.

But their commitment is to build positive relationships and bridges, rather than resentment and trenches.

Commented Simon Barrow of the UK Christian think-tank Ekklesia: ìPrayer ñ a much-misunderstood activity ñ is at the heart of religious belief, and for Christians Jesusí prayer that Godís domination-free love would completely re-shape our lives is central.î

He added: ìTo pray is to seek the kind of peace and transformation which goes beyond our self-assertion to the selfless heart of God ñ not to seek magical or manipulative intervention from a tribal deity. Violence and religious abuse are often justified by ëprayersí, but they deny everything it embodies.î

Victims and families of the victims of the 7/7 attacks have formed a network online ñ consciously non-religious and non-political in its affiliation ñ to provide a focus for mutual support, discussion and assistance. The BBC has been publishing reflections from this venture.

Groups like the British Humanist Association are also emphasising the need for public remembrance on occasions of tragedy to acknowledge the needs, commitments and contribution of those who do not belong to ñ or reject ñ faith perspectives.

Public events in the capital today include, from 08.00-16.00, public laying of flowers added to the mosaic in Queen Mary’s Gardens, Regent’s Park; 12.00: National two-minute silence;12.30: Multi-faith service of remembrance, St Pancras Church, Euston Road; 18.00-18.30: Commemorative event, Queen Mary’s Gardens.

A PRAYER FOR AN END TO VIOLENCE

God of life,

Every act of violence in our world, in our communities, between myself and others, destroys a part of your creation.

Stir in my heart a renewed sense of reverence for all life.

Give me the vision to recognise your spirit in every human being, however they behave towards me.

Make possible the impossible by cultivating in me the fertile seed of healing love.

May I play my part in breaking the cycle of violence by realising that peace begins with me.

[Also on Ekklesia: Bombed church marks 7/7 remembrance with peace meditation 07/07/06; ëBeyond the politics of fearí – a 7/7 response; UK Mennonites call for reflection after 7/7; Questions raised over St Paul’s service for 7/7 victims; Support urged as Muslims confront extremism; Face the religious roots of terror, says Christian think tank; Muslim tells Christians ‘War on Terror’ seems like ‘War on Islam’]


Prayer and action needed to end violence, says St Ethelburga’s

-07/07/06

A special 7/7 prayer calling on all people of good faith ñ believers and otherwise ñ to break the cycles of violence which perpetuate war and terror in the world has been written by the staff at a central London church which was once badly damaged in a bomb attack itself.

St Ethelburgaís, in the heart of the city of London, which today remembers the victims of those killed and injured in the 7 July 2005 transport bomb attacks on the capital, is now a location for peace-building ñ with a ëbig tentí for exchange and the development of cooperation among people of different communities and convictions.

In 1993 it was partly destroyed by a bomb planted by the IRA, before the fragile peace process took root and moved forward in Ireland. It was re-built as a reconciliation centre.

The new prayer ñ which is an act of personal commitment ñ is primarily intended for religious believers, but it is also a universal call to reverence life, and may be adapted for personal reflection by humanists, agnostics and atheist too.

St Ethelburgaís is dedicated to spiritual practices and beliefs rooted in the Christian tradition, and open to those of other convictions, which create a dynamic for non-violence and equity in the world. It attracts those involved in specialist and community-based initiatives concerned with peacemaking, peace-building, conflict transformation and violence resolution.

People who use the centre recognise the enormous damage that can occur when religion is used for violent ends, when conflict between faiths stokes fear and enmity, and when people of faith and no faith clash.

But their commitment is to build positive relationships and bridges, rather than resentment and trenches.

Commented Simon Barrow of the UK Christian think-tank Ekklesia: ìPrayer ñ a much-misunderstood activity ñ is at the heart of religious belief, and for Christians Jesusí prayer that Godís domination-free love would completely re-shape our lives is central.î

He added: ìTo pray is to seek the kind of peace and transformation which goes beyond our self-assertion to the selfless heart of God ñ not to seek magical or manipulative intervention from a tribal deity. Violence and religious abuse are often justified by ëprayersí, but they deny everything it embodies.î

Victims and families of the victims of the 7/7 attacks have formed a network online ñ consciously non-religious and non-political in its affiliation ñ to provide a focus for mutual support, discussion and assistance. The BBC has been publishing reflections from this venture.

Groups like the British Humanist Association are also emphasising the need for public remembrance on occasions of tragedy to acknowledge the needs, commitments and contribution of those who do not belong to ñ or reject ñ faith perspectives.

Public events in the capital today include, from 08.00-16.00, public laying of flowers added to the mosaic in Queen Mary’s Gardens, Regent’s Park; 12.00: National two-minute silence;12.30: Multi-faith service of remembrance, St Pancras Church, Euston Road; 18.00-18.30: Commemorative event, Queen Mary’s Gardens.

A PRAYER FOR AN END TO VIOLENCE

God of life,

Every act of violence in our world, in our communities, between myself and others, destroys a part of your creation.

Stir in my heart a renewed sense of reverence for all life.

Give me the vision to recognise your spirit in every human being, however they behave towards me.

Make possible the impossible by cultivating in me the fertile seed of healing love.

May I play my part in breaking the cycle of violence by realising that peace begins with me.

[Also on Ekklesia: Bombed church marks 7/7 remembrance with peace meditation 07/07/06; ëBeyond the politics of fearí – a 7/7 response; UK Mennonites call for reflection after 7/7; Questions raised over St Paul’s service for 7/7 victims; Support urged as Muslims confront extremism; Face the religious roots of terror, says Christian think tank; Muslim tells Christians ‘War on Terror’ seems like ‘War on Islam’]