"AN ACT OF WAR"

One cannot escape the news of the horrendous terrorist attacks that took place in Paris yesterday. Frightening images are all over the news and the internet. At this time, the total dead is 129, with one American exchange student being identified. The number of wounded, many in critical condition, is 350+. These attacks were carried out by ISIS in six locations around the city. The popular tourist places such as the Eiffel Tower and Disneyland have been under guard by French security forces since the terrorist attack on the newspaper Charlie Hebdo in January. Imagine going to a concert or having dinner at a favorite restaurant. Who would fear for their lives on such an outing? Typical unguarded venues were targeted.

As a sixth generation Moragne, the first Pierre having immigrated to America in the 1700s, I know there are some Moragnes still residing in France. Although I may not know them, they are still family, and I pray that they were spared any of the horrific attacks.

What will it take to put an end to the slaughtering of innocent people in many parts of the world by ones who say they are acting in the name of Allah? Can the leaders of the radical Islam faith not see the atrocities being committed by their followers? Surely they can see the folly of thinking they will control the world and force conversion to their religion. Are there not enough rational Muslim leaders to take a stand, join forces, and condemn these actions?

Many years back I was living in Denton, Texas. This was before computers were readily accessible. I made frequent use of our public library. At one point in time I checked out a book containing several chapters on "Prayers for Peace". Unfortunately, I did not write down the name of the book. However, I photocopied the prayers and the following statement:

"In 1986, a historic conference took place in Assisi, Italy -- the home of Saint Francis. For the first time in history, the leaders of the twelve major religions of the world had been called together to pray for peace."

A member of the conference brought back the prayers, which I feel are relevant -- and necessary in light of today's world events. I'd like to share them here a few at a time in no special order of significance other than the Prayer of St. Francis, which I will post first. Many of you will be familiar with a lot of these prayers. 

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred...let me sow love.

Where there is injury...pardon.

Where there is doubt...faith.

Where there is despair...hope.

Where there is darkness...light.

Where there is sadness...joy.

O Divine Master

grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled...as to console,

To be understood...as to understand,

To be loved...as to love.

For it is in giving...that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

It is in dying...that we are born to eternal life.

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Jewish Prayer for Peace

Come, let us go up to the mountain of

the Lord, that we may walk the

paths of the Most High.

And we shall beat our swords into plowshares,

and our spears into pruning hooks.

Nation shall not lift up sword against nation--

neither shall they learn war any more.

And none shall be afraid, for the mouth of the

Lord of Hosts has spoken.

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Native American Prayer for Peace

O Great Spirit of our

Ancestors, I raise my pipe to you.

To your messengers the four winds, and to

Mother Earth who provides for your children.

Give us the wisdom to teach our children

to love, to respect, and to be kind

to each other so that they may grow 

with peace in mind.

Let us learn to share all good things that

you provide for us on this earth.

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Muslim Prayer for Peace

In the name of Allah,

the beneficent, the merciful,

Praise be to the Lord of the 

Universe who has created us and

made us into tribes and nations.

That we may know each other, not that

we may despise each other.

If the enemy incline towards peace, do

thou also incline towards peace, and

trust God, for the Lord is the one that 

heareth and knoweth all things.

And the servants of God,

Most Gracious are those who walk on

the Earth in humility, and when we

address them, we say 'PEACE.'

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And some will say, "I behold the Christ in you."

(Peace image by Jean Jullien)

Hear our prayers.

Love and peace,

Marilyn