Peace Witness Stories

Check out NPR's great story on the Christian Witness for Peace this past weekend by clicking here.

The Associated Press covered the Christian demonstration as well, click here to read that story.

Click here to read what Jim Wallis of Sojourners has to say about the war. Sojourners helped plan this witness for peace. You can also hear audio from the service at the National Cathedral by clicking here.

I will be joining others from my church later this afternoon for a demonstration.

Imagine the great things that could be done to end global poverty, prevent and treat HIV/AIDS and enhance environmental sustainability if our money, people and energy were not being poured into this war?

In the airport in Atlanta I met a young man (probably younger than me) in fatigues who was on his way home from Iraq for a two week break. When I told him that I was praying for him and his fellow soldiers, he seemed both grateful and frustrated. He expressed anger at those who had put them on the battleground in such a hurry. His voice was full of anxiety and pain. He said his unit had lost 5 guys already and hadn't really been in Iraq that long yet. Supporting our troops, to me, means doing everything we can to bring them home now, being sure that they have all the services they need to recover (in mind, body, and spirit) and to hold political leaders accountable for this disasterous policy. We have responsibilities in Iraq --- but as so many thoughtful and experienced people have said there is no military solution.

Dear God, we ask that you guide and direct all people into the way of peace. As many of your followers throughout the world observe the season of Lent, a season of repentance --- which means to turn around and to change our minds --- may the people and leaders of the United States repent, may our minds and actions be changed so that peace is pursued. May the trillions we spend on war be re-directed towards peacemaking, hospitals and schools --- for as your messenger Jesus said, "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." May all our hearts and our treasure be directed towards the building up of a just and peaceful global society. Remind all political leaders of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his courageous stand against the war in Vietnam and his call for a revolution of values. May we all remember King’s words that "a nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death" and may each of us help our nation reorder its priorities so that the pursuit of peace takes precedence over the pursuit of war. AMEN