One sixth of our way through Lent - how's it going for you?  I am having a good one so far!  Busy and challenging, but some real senses of tuning into God a bit more than for a while, that makes me feel encouraged.  Yesterday was very productive and energising, so, yes, life is good, I have many blessings to count.

Adults

In countries torn apart by war but now at peace, such as Angola and Sierra Leone, Christian Aid is helping communities to rebuild their lives and to work towards peaceful, long-term development.

Pray for lasting peace and reconciliation for communities recovering from conflict, especially those in the news at this time.

By way of prayer, I offer this hymn by Alan Gaunt, which came to mind as I read today's challenge:

We pray for peace,
But not the easy peace,
Built on complacency
And not the truth of God.
We pray for real peace,
The peace God's love alone can seal.

We pray for peace,
But not the cruel peace,
Leaving God's poor bereft
And dying in distress,
We pray for real peace,
Enriching all the human race.

We pray for peace,
And not the evil peace,
Defending unjust laws
And nursing prejudice,
But for the real peace
Of justice, mercy, truth and love.

We pray for peace:
Holy communion
With Christ our risen Lord
And every living thing;
God's will fulfilled on earth
And all creation reconciled.

We pray for peace,
And for the sake of peace,
Look to the risen Christ
Who gives the grace we need,
To serve the cause of peace
And make our own self-sacrifice.

God, give us peace:
If you withdraw your love,
There is no peace for us
Nor any hope of it.
With you to lead us on,
Through death or tumult, peace will come.

Alan Gaunt (born 1935) © 1991 Stainer & Bell Ltd

My Pledge:

Today - one prayer for peace

Total £8.30, one prayer of thanksgiving for education, one prayer for peace