Image: quinndombrowski, Flickr
Lovefast 23: Peace
By Gordon from Mahabba Oxford
Inspired by 'The Beja of Sudan' from 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World booklet
Daily verse
“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.”
Thought for the day
Peace
The Beja people whom we are praying for today, have a strong spirit of independence.
They were initially Christianised in the 6th Century, but later Islamised in the 15th Century, joining the fierce movement to Islamise Sudan.
My uncle was part of the Sudan Political Service almost 70 years ago, largely located in the Christian south.
He told me that in those days it only took 150 British diplomats to bring peace and order to the whole of Sudan!
How times have changed!
The spirits of independence, tribal and religious rivalry, and the clash of militant Islam, have left the north and south of Sudan deeply wounded and divided.
About 20 years ago, many Sudanese diplomats across Europe gathered at the office of the mission I was working with.
Their question was how we as Christians managed to bring peace between Muslims and Christians.
They recognised Christians have the answer to peace!
Today's entry in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World booklet
Inspiration for today's entry - click to open
Prayer for the day
Father, we recognize that Jesus is our Peace and that we can be carriers of the spirit of peace within our community. We can be the reconcilers and mediators in this divided world. Anoint us for this work, and open up doors of opportunity for us to help bring peace to the wounded and divided Muslim communities around us.
Daily action
Ask any local Muslim to tell you about the disparate Islamic communities living in your area. Ask them which people group are struggling the most to integrate in the community: be bold and seek to befriend a leader from that community with a view to helping them facilitate a greater level of social cohesion where you live. You could be the vital missing catalyst who brings peace to their families who are attempting to integrate.
Your turn
Let us know how it went! Leave a comment below, or tag us on social media with #lovefast or #30dop hashtags on social media. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter!