On Sunday, May 7, 2000, six Friends gathered for our weekly prayer vigil for peace in the world. In the early part of the vigil, a woman stopped and talked about the horrors of the NATO bombing of the former Yugoslavia. She told us that many thousands of children had been orphaned by the bombing and said she would be going soon to try to be of service to them.
Dan Homan wrote the following report:
I got to the vigil late yesterday. I'd been to a 3:00 performance by the American Society of Ancient Instruments at the Old First Reformed Church at 4th and Race Streets. It was delightful. After hearing that wonderful music, my heart and soul were filled with joy as I walked down to the vigil. I was glad, also, that the performance ended in time for me to be able to spend at least a few moments with my friends in front of the Liberty Bell pavilion. Adding to the wonderful afternoon, as I walked over towards the group after crossing Market Street, Jorge's daughter, Renata, saw me first and smiled and waved. As I looked through a couple of new signs, I grinned and asked, jokingly, if I was late. Jorge smiled.
I picked a sign that reminded me of one of my favorite Bible verses, one I keep in my shirt pocket. That verse asks, "What does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8) There are many verses in scripture that reassure me when thoughts come that maybe I'm not doing as much for God as I "should be," but this is a favorite. I also appreciated what I heard someone say, once, that it's not what we do for God, but what we allow Him to do through us. My thoughts and meditations were on such things as I enjoyed the short time we shared together before departing again for the evening.
I was also aware of how much peace and joy I feel at those times when I feel that I am fully trusting in God. Such peace and trust seem to come more frequently and more deeply lately — when I'm not trying to make sure I "get it right" and when I’m not trying to make sure that I "get all that I deserve." (When that thought comes to mind, I often realize what a blessing it is that I don't get all I deserve!)
Yolanda was back with us. I hadn't seen her in a while, but I don't make it to all of the vigils, so it might just have been we'd been there on opposite days for a while. Greg was the fifth member of our group, whom I don't think I've met before. He is a member of Newtown Square Meeting but sometimes attends Yolanda's Meeting, Haverford. They didn't recall each other from meeting, though, and Greg talked with peace and humor about his (very!) poor eyesight. She offered him a ride home, and he accepted.
It was a pleasant time together, though short, and I believe we shared many of the fruits of the Spirit. ...quality time...
A short follow-up…
On the next evening, I went to a prayer-vigil for the public schools. It wasn’t at all like our prayer vigils at the Liberty Bell pavilion until the end, when Tony Campolo from Eastern College, who was leading the whole thing, said that we would end in silent prayer. Saying that was quite appropriate, since we were in a Friends Meeting — the one at 4th & Arch — in the same building and in the same seats where, he said, Ben Franklin once sat.
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