5,000th Prayer for Peace

My church is a peace church. We find one of the primary expressions of the Gospel in our lives to be working for peace - on personal, political, social and international levels. As disciples, we also recognize that peace has a national/international conflict-resolution dimension.

In addressing this, in addition to more "earthly" efforts, our denomination has for several years offered a prayer for peace at our headquarters, every single day. Typically, a particular nation is given special attention each day, offering the participants and worshipers and opportunity to learn about the special challenges and callings facing unique and diverse peoples across our planet.

Today marks the 5,000th daily prayer for peace offered by our church since we began this practice. At one o'clock, in Independence, Missouri, (that's 11 o'clock in Seattle) this landmark prayer will be offered like all the others: to the Spirit of Peace and to people to respond to It. Today, for Suriname.