Opening Hymn:         Peace Prayer    (May be sung to 'Mornin' Has Broken')
The peace of Christ on every tide             The peace of Christ be by your side.

The peace of Christ on every shore.          The peace of Christ at every door.

The peace of Christ in dark and light,         The peace of Christ in day and night.

The peace of Christ be near and far.          The peace of Christ in every heart.

Lamb of God …

Reading:

History says "Don’t hope So hope for a great sea-change
On this side of the grave.” On the far-side of revenge
But then, once in a lifetime Believe that a further shore
The longed-for tidal wave Is reachable from here.
Of justice can rise up,
And hope and history rhyme.

    Seamus Heaney

PAUSE

Reading:     Isaiah 58:11-12

The Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your needs in parched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters never fail. Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets to live in.

Reflection:     Symptoms of Inner Peace  (To be read slowly, by one person, pausing after each point.  A final pause before the final closing paragraph.) (Olympia, Washington State, Fellowship of Reconciliation, 1986)

Watch for signs of Peace. The hearts of a great many have already been exposed to it and we hope that many more in our society will experience it in epidemic proportions.
 

1. Tendency to think and act from forgiveness rather than from fear based on past experience.
 

2. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
 

3. Loss of interest in judging other people.
 

4. Loss of interest in judging self.
 

5. Loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
 

6. Loss of interest in conflict.
 

7. Loss of ability to worry (a very serious symptom)
 

8. Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation
 

9. Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature
 

10. Frequent attacks of smiling through the eyes of the heart.
 

11. Increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.
 

12. Increased susceptibility to Love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.
 

If you have all or even most of the above symptoms, please be advised that your condition may be far too advanced to turn back. If you are exposed to anyone exhibiting several of these symptoms, remain exposed at your own risk. This condition of INNER PEACE is likely well into its infectious stage. Be forewarned!
 

Prayer Ends on this point.