Many vigil report readers were moved to respond to and explore questions raised in prayer vigil report #92, which was written by Marcelle Martin. Here are some of those responses.
From Saku Longshore—
I read the vigil report with great interest. (It was forwarded to the Germantown Friends School faculty by Wendy Wells.) I was impressed and touched by it.
I agree with the viewpoint, but would also like to suggest that holding on to the notion of there being that of God within each of us, instead of outside of us, to be loved (how do you "love" something unknowable in the conventional sense?) might also be spiritually rewarding, if tough to do. It means that you are forced to recognize the importance of each person however unlovable (personally I have a tough time seeing that of God in Ronald Reagan) and in your political action, act without hatred against your opponents (also pretty hard to do). I would love to reach a state of being where I know, as surely as I can see the computer screen right now, (i.e. not merely intellectually) that we are all divine, and that when we reach that stage we can help others to see and reach the divine within them, the divine that heals.
From Shirley Bechill—
I have been receiving your reports almost from their beginning and have been with you in Spirit and prayers. My husband and I came to Honolulu for a two year tour as Resident Couple at Honolulu Friends Center about 10 months ago. We live in Michigan and have been practicing Healing Prayer wherever we are. Meetings for Healing occur regularly in Michigan as well as drumming circles for Healing the Planet. We continue that activity here at HFM with a weekly Meeting for Healing at the Meeting House. Peace and Love around the world, within nature and among humans is constantly in our hearts.
I'm responding to your report #92 because I feel so in unity with Marcelle's thoughts and want to thank you for sharing them. We recently had the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Meetings here in Honolulu and people wishing to demonstrate and express their concern for the ADB to look at what their programs and policies are really doing to the people in undeveloped nations. There was much concern for a peaceful encounter here after so much violence in Quebec and Seattle especially. Recently the Faith Communities had been offering prayer support for the teachers of this state as they demonstrated through a 19 day strike that closed every public school in the state of Hawaii. It ended peacefully. Then immediately this prayer support was offered up for the duration of the week-long ADB meetings with much success for aloha attitude spreading through out the groups. I won't go into all details, but Quakers and AFSC played several roles.... But, many were offering the healing prayer of energy of holding all parties in the light. This morning our Meeting for Healing offered prayers of appreciation for all the assistance in connecting that Healing Light with those here. HFM hosted 3 young adults from Japan here for the event who had quit their jobs and went back home to begin graduate studies that will give them preparation to bring more justice to undeveloped societies. We never really know how far the Healing Light spreads, we just know it does.
Thank you for your reports, prayers and love.
From John Gallery—
Reading Marcelle's report reminded me of the one I wrote earlier. Both have made me think more about what I am doing with prayer in general and what kind of prayer I want to make at the vigils. In my own report I wrote something like I didn't expect God to miraculously intervene and cause peace. I think I still feel that way. I don't doubt that miracles might happen, though I'm not sure, but I think the key for me was Marcelle's use of the word "transformation." What Jesus was looking for, and what I suspect he prayed for, was that each of us be transformed. To be born again is to be transformed, to be a different person than we were to begin with (delete the paranthesis entirely). So what I am praying is not that God somehow creates a miracle (magic) and voila, there is peace. No, what I am praying for is that people are transformed, that God helps people to be transformed. That they are transformed into people who act out of love and compassion for one another, all the time. Those all over the world who are praying for peace are acting from love and compassion. If more pray for the transformation of others, then eventually the "weight" of all of us will prevail. Until we are all transformed (or a large enough number of us), there is no chance of peace. Once we are transformed peace will exist automatically. That would be the miracle.
So I have been trying to word a new sign. I haven't quite got it yet but here's where I am:
Pray: that the actions of all people will always be guided by love and compassion.
Then there will be Peace.
From Jane Keller—
Thank you for the insightful view of prayer in vigil report 92. I agree that peace will only come through justice and through our persistence in seeking God's grace. Thank you again for your inspiring and persistent vigil.
In loving Friendship,
Jane Keller
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