Praying for Peace

Sermon by Hilary Webb 18th August 2013

I take my text for this morning from the epistle to the Hebrews 12:1

"With this great crowd of witnesses around us"

Over the past two months we have shared together our stories of ‘Welcome and Hospitality’ and ‘Relationships and Family’ in our ‘Knowing me, Knowing you’ conversations. We are not being specifically invited to continue these conversations today at the barbeque; but if we were then we could do no worse than to share stories of our own faith journey or stories of those special people whose faith has inspired or strengthened us. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews knew the importance of recalling the stories of those witnesses of faith, those people who continue the story of God’s kingdom here and now.

I wonder. What would your story be? Whose story would you tell?

What would OUR story be? The story of the community gathered here at Christ the Cornerstone witnessing to the love of God for the people of Milton Keynes?

Peter, who has been working in the archives gathering the history from the early days of a vision for a Church building and community here in Central Milton Keynes, would be able to tell us, I am told, many stories. Others would tell something different.

I have had the privilege over the past few weeks of looking for the story of one aspect of our worship here, Friday lunchtime Prayers for Peace. I have asked about the history of Prayers for Peace and what the service means for those who attend now. On the display board you can see the ‘work in progress’ and I do hope you will take the time to look at the display and feedback your comments to me. This is an interactive process, a theological reflection informing us about one aspect of our life together.

You may ask why I am doing this activity. During conversations in the early part of the year the worship committee realised that we were not really sure what was happening at Prayers for Peace and whether it was still valued and relevant as part of our weekday worship. I then attended a course in Oxford and learnt about a framework within which I could explore such questions and so I began, putting learning into practice and learning more as I did so.

I asked about the history of Friday Prayers for Peace and discovered that this service has been happening since before the library days. Meeting for a time of prayer for the peace of the world every week was so important to the pioneers of the ecumenical movement in Milton Keynes that it was established from the outset of a church community in Central Milton Keynes. Our current service continues to build on this early witness.

I considered the practice of praying for peace and was reminded of the service held every Friday in Coventry Cathedral since the late 1940’s I believe, reading the litany of reconciliation. I discovered that a central tenet of most religions is that of seeking peace and praying for peace. Books containing Prayers for Peace gather together writings from all over the world and right across the religious traditions. Here are a whole crowd of witnesses with whom we join our voices week by week.

That is where I started my exploration but as WE started, that is those involved in Prayers for Peace, we found so much as we shared what we liked about meeting together to pray, why we thought it was important and what in the Bible or Tradition encouraged us to continue to meet together to pray. We found our voice.

A voice which says that Prayers for Peace is important; it is 30 minutes available each week for anyone in the city and attended by Christians from all over the city. It is 30 minutes of calm in the busyness of the day. 30 minutes to think about the world, to share the concerns on our hearts for people and places that matter to us. It is a place where those who attend found care and support and a new person found a welcome amongst a group of like minded people.

We found we enjoyed the variety of service styles offered by both ordained and lay leaders. We might sometimes be asked us to meditate on a theme (like pilgrimage) or a person (with an anniversary) or discuss an issue (like domestic violence or the work of the Foodbank). We might share information about a place in the news, or a place no longer in the news. We might be invited to pray for the needs of this city or for this place, the people who come here through the week and the people who are here to welcome, help, advise and support them. The focus of our prayers is diverse and we enjoy this diversity, this opportunity to learn something new.

When we meet at 12.30 every Friday to pray for Peace for the World and for those in need we find ourselves enriched and sustained in our faith journey and blessed with peace, the peace of God.

Today I would like to issue a number of invitations to you

Firstly, if you can, please move through to the Guildhall after the service and share in fellowship at the church barbeque and, perhaps, share something of your story of faith with someone else. Continue in our journey of knowing me, knowing you.

Secondly, please take a few moments to look at the presentation and ask questions if it is not clear. Please feedback your comments about Prayers for Peace or share your experiences or your favourite bible passage or poem or prayer, something that inspires you. The presentation here is only a start, our readings today have challenged me to think about what Jesus meant when he spoke Peace to his disciples and us. For today’s gospel reading warns of the cost of discipleship, of divisions in the family, of a baptism of fire. The epistle reminded us of those who were stoned, tortured, imprisoned for their faith. This does not make comfortable reading, but discipleship is not about comfort it is about discerning the truth, being sure in our faith and sharing it even if that brings hardship.

The peace which Jesus brought to his disciples came through the refining fire of the Holy Spirit. They then gave their lives for the gospel, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of their faith.

I am sure there is a lot more work to be done here in learning more about the peace which God offers and for which we pray. I do hope you will feel able to share your ideas, your reflections, our story.

And finally, if you ever have 30 minutes to spare at lunchtime on a Friday, please consider joining us for a moment of peace. There is a welcome waiting for you and, who knows, you may become a regular member or even hear yourself called to share in leading our conversation and prayers. I know that is possible; it happened to me.

And now may the Peace of God which passes all understanding be with us all today and always.