Prayers for Peacemakers. 16 February 2017
Sometimes we may think that people joining various state and non-state military and armed groups do so out of conviction. However, that does not entirely reflect reality. Large numbers of men and women have joined armies because of economic conditions, lack of opportunities, limited access to education and other situations of inequality. Many others were forcibly recruited by militias and armies. Many have joined in reaction to oppression and violence against their communities. This is not an apology or justification of war. It is humanizing war.
In the past weeks in Colombia thousands of former members of the FARC began to gather in the so called ‘concentration zones’ where they relinquish their weapons and begin processes of reintegration into civil society.
Let us pray for all our sisters and brothers who had been forced to become elements of war. Pray for those who have decided to put down their weapons so that they will have all means needed to accomplish the process of transformation successfully. Pray that the lives of those who chose peace instead of war be protected from vengeance of the opposing armed groups.
Photo credit: Radio Santafe
Micah 4:3-4
The LORD will mediate between peoples and
will settle disputes between strong nations far away. They will hammer their
swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no
longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore.
Everyone will live in peace and prosperity,
enjoying their own grapevines and fig trees, for there will be nothing to
fear.
