On Sunday, April 30, 2000, seven Friends gathered on a warm, windy day to maintain our weekly prayer vigil for peace in the world.
A couple passing by took a great interest in the vigil. The man said he was a Peacekeeper. "I'm with you!" he exclaimed. He wanted to have his picture taken. Most passersby who join the vigil to be photographed stand discretely at one end of the line. This man went right to the middle. He wanted a sign, and we handed him a large one that said, "Make Peace, Do Justice." A very tall person, he stooped a bit while having his photograph taken, probably in order to be about the same height as the people on either side of him. He told us that he was a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard, and that they would be stationed in Bosnia in 2002. "Please pray for us!" he asked. Then he joined his companion, in front of us, and looked at us silently praying and holding signs asking for peace in the world. He seemed to be envisioning what the photograph would look like with him standing among us. He told his companion that he was going to send a copy of the picture to the General.
For me, the vigil had begun with some feelings of hurt after an interaction with another vigil participant. Before I could give myself fully to praying for peace in the world, I felt it necessary to pray for peace in my own heart. Soon I was able to accept that the comment my friend had made, about which I had felt some pain, was not intended to hurt me and that my hurt was actually about a familiar little emotional drama inside myself that I didn't need to perpetuate. I could just let go of it. Letting go, I felt peace. My friend and I turned to look at each other at the same moment and exchanged a smile.
It's hard to know exactly what effect our prayers for peace might have on the world, but over and over again I have experienced God teaching me peace in my own heart in response to my prayers. Sometimes, as with the man who wanted to be photographed in the midst of us, it's evident that our witness is especially meaningful to someone passing by. The previous week, we had been joined by Bob Schmitt and his daugter Braden, Friends from Minnesota, and as I had stood with Bob and Braden on one side and several of our regular vigil participants on the other, I had felt something of the power arising from the joining together of our prayers.
This summer Philadelphia is hosting the Republican National Convention. In our group we have been concerned about how to maintain our vigil during that time. A representative from the park service suggested that we wouldn't want to be at Independence Mall then, because of what happened in Washington and Seattle. Space has already been allocated to two other groups for Sunday afternoon, July 30th, and we are still waiting to see if we will be granted a permit to use a part of that space as well.
The Park Service has not yet made a decision. Please hold us in your prayers as we prepare to bring our witness for peace into a situation that may be challenging.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE
Independence Mall Vigil for PeacePlease join us at our weekly prayer vigils for peace in the world, held in front of the Liberty Bell on Market St. between 5th and 6th, every Sunday from 4 to 5 PM. For more information, contact cityquake@aol.com.
In our reports, participants share their experiences of the prayer vigils and explore beliefs related to their participation. Reports reflect the experience of each author and do not necessarily represent the beliefs or practice of all vigil participants. We welcome your responses, which are forwarded to the individual authors (when possible). We sometimes include part of a response in a future report, unless you ask us not to.
It is meaningful to us that you share in the vigils by reading these reports and in other ways, such as joining us in prayer.
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:18 AM