I No Longer Pray for Peace

I No Longer Pray for Peace by Ann Weems

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I No Longer Pray for Peace -- Ann Weems

On the edge of war, one foot already in, I no longer pray for peace: I pray for miracles.

I pray that stone hearts will turn to tenderheartedness, and evil intentions will turn to mercifulness, and all the soldiers already deployed will be snatched out of harm's way, and the whole world will be astounded onto its knees.

I pray that all the "God talk" will take bones, and stand up and shed its cloak of faithlessness, and walk again in its powerful truth. I pray that the whole world might sit down together and share its bread and its wine.

Some say there is no hope, but then I've always applauded the holy fools who never seem to give up on the scandalousness of our faith: that we are loved by God...... that we can truly love one another.

I no longer pray for peace: I pray for miracles.

Ann Weems Ash Wednesday, March 5,2003

Ann Weems is the author of a number of books of poetry including Kneeling in Jerusalem, Putting the Amazing Back in Grace, and Psalms of Lament. She serves on the National Committee of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship: http://presbypeacefellowship.faithweb.com/ She has given permission to share this poem with others.