Independence Mall Vigil for Peace

Report #12: 26 June 1999

Dear Friends:

Nine people gathered again in silent prayer at Independence Mall last Sunday the 20th, holding signs, as we have been doing since shortly after the NATO bombing in the Balkans started. Right after our prayer vigil, a group of six Friends and one Roman Catholic met to worshipfully consider whether or not to continue holding the vigils.

We felt united in our concern for peace in the world and the need for ongoing prayer, and in a desire to maintain our public witness. Friends spoke of the spiritual healing and comfort they gain through their participation in this exercise. They also spoke of feeling called to invite others to reach out and open up to God in prayer for peaceful hearts and a peaceful earth, and to stir people's souls to the terrible violence that threatens humanity and creation all over the world. One stressed the prophetic dimension of praying for peace, as we open ourselves to God' will on earth. Social and economic relationships around the globe are breeding increased division and strife, nations continue to prepare for war and to waste immense resources in doing so, violent strife tears apart so many communities from Colombia to Sudan, from Myanmar to Chechnya. Our inner cities bleed, and hatred and fear kill our children in suburban schools.

We were aware of small numbers, but we feel strengthened by our conviction that God wills peace for us and that we need to respond. One Friend asked Jorge yesterday what his hope is. I felt dumbfounded. Do I have any hope? Was I just too afraid to admit to a vast, profound, ridiculously big hope? I gathered courage and I muttered: Yes, I do have a hope: I hope that all of us Friends will awaken to the urgency of God's call to stop our current course, that, inspired by God and in faithful obedience, we can support others in other faith communities to raise their voice also and give witness to the peaceful ways of God, that we can support those people of good will that even without committing themselves to be in relationship with God strive for justice and peace in the world. I have the hope—and the conviction—that if we are all united with a vision of peace and committed to bring it to the world, we will succeed. Our teachers and forebears have taught us that faith, love and sacrifice can overcome tyranny and oppression. I believe that we can do it, for it is not our will: it is God's will.

Where will these prayer vigils take us? Probably none of us knows. Speaking for myself, I just feel I cannot do otherwise than to continue. Our invitation remains open: join us. We know we are not the only ones: others are doing even much more, both in their personal and family lives, and in their collective work. Perhaps this is only one small wagon in a big, big train. Perhaps the train is starting to run, though.

Love,
Jorge and Marcelle

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE Independence Mall Vigil for Peace

Please 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