A prayer for peace

Yesterday I attended a training course at St, Ethelburga’s in Bishopsgate, London.  A few years ago the last IRA bomb in England practically demolished the church, which was re-built as a centre for peace and reconciliation.

Then, in 2005, the tube/bus bombs killed more than 50 innocent people in London.  There is a memorial to the victims of this attack in St. Ethelburga’s and on the wall there is a large poster with the following prayer on it.

Wouldn’t it be good if more people took the sentiments to heart.

God of life,

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

Stir within 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.

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