By: Pray Australia
Sydney is still reeling from recent events at Bondi and Wakeley.
These incidents have left scars that run deep, prompting soul-searching conversations about the kind of society we want to be. Yet, in the midst of pain and confusion, there emerges a shared yearning for something better – a collective call for peace.
Just after the Wakeley incident, Murray Norman, the CEO of Better Balanced Futures and Faith NSW, spoke passionately on A Current Affair, condemning the violence and emphasizing the need for unity.
“This has no place in our faith,” Murray said, echoing the sentiments of many who refuse to let fear and hatred tear apart the fabric of their communities.
“The faith leaders are encouraging everyone to calmly practice your faith, but it needs to be done in a way which builds harmony and tolerance. We stand together, we stand with the government, we stand with the police. It’s very important that we let the police do their job at this time.”
Peace is Proactive
But peace isn’t just an absence of conflict; it’s a proactive pursuit, a conscious choice to build bridges instead of walls.
As Mother Teresa once said, “Peace and war start within one’s own home. If we really want peace for the world, let us start by loving one another within our families. Peace begins with a smile. If now we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten how to see God in one another.”
It’s a timely reminder that even in the face of adversity, our smallest acts of kindness and understanding can have lasting effects.
Join the Movement
At PrayAustralia.org, a platform dedicated to fostering peace through prayer and kindness, individuals are invited to be part of a movement of hope. Psalm 34, with its timeless wisdom, calls us to seek peace and pursue it relentlessly. It’s a rallying cry for all who refuse to be complacent in the face of injustice and violence, urging us as Christians to pursue peace through prayer and kindness.
As we continue to navigate the uncertainties of modern life, let us hold fast to the power of prayer and the pursuit of peace.
Jesus encourages us in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (NIV).
As we reach out in prayer to God, and in kindness to one another – with open hearts and open minds – in our collective pursuit of peace, lies the promise of a brighter tomorrow.
If you are seeking some guidance for your prayers and contemplation, please visit PrayAustralia.org for prayer points.
Article supplied with thanks to Pray Australia.
Feature image: Photo by Silas Baisch on Unsplash
About the author: Pray Australia is an initiative of members of Christian Media and Arts Australia.