CPTnet
24 February 2005
IRAQ: An Invitation to Prayer and Fasting
We on the Christian Peacemaker Team (CPT) in Baghdad,
Iraq invite you to join us every Tuesday for a day of
prayer, fasting and action that will continue until
Easter week. Participate as you are led either by
fasting (the team will do a bread and water fast)
and/or participating in a time of joint prayer. At
9AM Eastern Standard Time (1400GMT) we will gather for
an hour of focused prayer. You are invited to join for
as much time as you can. Please also note the Action
Steps connected with each week's sacred passages. If
you are so led, we ask that you take the suggested
action between Tuesday and Thursday so we can work
together.
Website for posting now available:
CPT in Iraq has begun a web log found at
http://prayerandactionforiraq.blogspot.com. To post a
comment on our web log, follow these steps:
1)Scroll down to the bottom of the posting you wish to
comment on.
2)Click on the place that shows the number of comments made on the posting.
3)Scroll to the bottom of that page and click where is says, "Post a
comment."
Tuesday 1 March 2005: Casting Out Fear
1 John 4:18
"There is no fear in love, for perfect love casts out fear."
Micah 4: 2-5
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to
the house of the God of Jacob, that God may teach us
God's ways, and that we may walk in God's paths"* God
shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate
between strong nations far away; They shall beat their
swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning
hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more; but they shall
all sit under their own vines and under their own fig
trees, and no one shall make them afraid."
According to John, fear is the opposite of love. It is
fear that isolates us, causes us to search for enemies
and demonize them. Micah calls us to a mountaintop
where we can see the many peoples of the world through
the eyes of God who heals disputes and enmities rather
than exploiting them.
Let us reject not only war but also any preparation
for it, finding our security in the power of love and
compassion. Then the fruits of the earth will be
shared by all; refugees will find a home, "and no one will make them
afraid."
Let us reject idolatry -- the worship and obedience
demanded by a state concerned with national security
-- and walk in reverence in the presence of all
creation. We are part of a creation that reflects and
names the God of justice and mercy.
ACTION STEPS
1. Organize with parents and others to remove ROTC from U.S. schools.
2. Risk offering a kind word or action to someone who
seems insecure and antagonistic.
3. Challenge a church leader to speak out against war
& occupation as a means to "security".
4. Risk "crossing the line" with others in an act of
civil resistance to your government's policy in Iraq.
_______
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Christian Peacemaker Teams is an initiative of the
historic peace churches (Mennonites, Church of the
Brethren, and Quakers) with support and membership
from a range of Catholic and Protestant denominations.
Supporting violence-reduction efforts around the world
is its mandate.
Contact CPT, POB 6508 Chicago, IL 60680; Telephone:
773-277-0253 Fax: 773-277-0291; e-mail:
peacemakers@cpt.org.
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