I have a prayer list on my smart phone. As crises arise such as earthquakes, wars, famines, fires these terrible events that cause human suffering have come and gone from my prayer list. But one thing has remained on my list for the past 40 years...peace in the Middle East.
Last Saturday I joined Pope Francis' and Bishop Grant's call to fast and pray for peace in Syria. Each hunger pang was a reminder to think and pray for the people of Syria. I was working on a building project at our cabin in the rain. When I thought about my physical hunger I redirected that thought to the many refugees who fled the civil war to the many camps across the border. My discomfort paled in comparison to theirs.
While I don't agree with President Obama's desire for a limited military strike on Syria I do appreciate his courage to have this debate. Today it appears that through a candid answer to a reporter's question Secretary Kerry may have unknowingly started us down a path towards a peaceful resolution to the immediate crisis.
Was this apparent change of course the result of millions of people fasting and praying for peace? I can't answer that. But I believe that the course of history can be changed when God's people join together praying and voicing their deep desire for all people to live in peace.
Grace Always,
Dave
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