During the Crusades, St. Francis of Assisi grieved so greatly over the wars between the Christians and the Muslims that he made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to preach the love and peace of Jesus. As he journeyed he was captured by the armies of Mohammed and condemned to die. Yet as he stood before the Sultan, his message of forgiveness and reconciliation was so compelling that the Sultan freed St. Francis to go on to Jerusalem and share his message with the Christian armies. The Sultan was reported to have said, "Francis, you have not made a Christian of me today, but you have made a friend. Go and tell your Christian leaders that if all of Jesus' followers were like you there would be no war."

Perhaps in this story we can find some guidance for dealing with those who want to wage war against the followers of Mohammed. Could it be that what our world needs most is not better-equipped armies, but followers of Christ more committed to his way of peace? We would get more accomplished if we who call ourselves Christians would take seriously Jesus' words, "Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you."

During my thirty-year ministry the Prayer of St. Francis has hung on my office wall. Every day this 800-year-old prayer has reminded me of my call to be a peacemaker in this world-

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace…
where there is hatred, let me sow love…
where there is injury, pardon…
where there is despair, hope…
where there is darkness, light…
where there is sadness, joy…

If the Apostle Paul were alive today, would he ask us to pray for the United Nations? Here's what he instructed Timothy-

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers. intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity."

Let's fast and pray for peace in God's world!

"To clasp one's hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world." --KARL BARTH