As I write this it is 6am and the terrible events in Israel and Gaza are still unfolding. Let us pray for all the innocents whose lives have been shattered or destroyed by the choices of those who have put anger, hate and brutality above love and peace.

When hate rules in the human heart it shrivels the individual life that is enslaved to it: to what Paul called, “the rulers of the darkness of this world.” All hate and greed-induced events anywhere in the world are both a warning and a call for humanity to change its ways and its priorities. Any individual or society dominated by anger and hate lives always in fear and is not free.

Jesus, the Universal Christ, showed us by His life that only love is the way to be free of fear. In John 4:18, Jesus said: “There is no fear in love for the perfection of Love expels all fear.” Only God’s Love within us brings true unity and inclusiveness for all. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female for you are all one in Christ Jesus” Galatians 3:28  

An Ojibway prayer puts it this way; “Great Spirit, Scared One,  teach us: love, compassion and honour that we may live with integrity that we may heal the earth and heal each other.” So may all people of all faiths unite to pray and work for peace in Jerusalem and for the whole world.

Written by John Pickering, at  www.onelight2beyond.com

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