I live in an inner-city neighborhood. Somali refugees, Nepali students, Mexican construction workers, African American neighbors and a few white people all share the same space. Gunshots and sirens are common. There is a house that sells drugs in the next block. Strip joints, liquor stores, check cashing stores, and fast food restaurants compete for our attention.

The heart of peacemaking is the heart! So as we consider Lent and making peace with others, let’s begin by reflecting on Jesus. Notice the first step in peacemaking according to Jesus: get the log out of our own eyes. We need to deal with our own stuff first. We take responsibility for our own actions before we focus on what the other person did. We start with the heart!

Each week for the next 6 weeks we will publish a lenten devotional to give you practical ways to practice peacemaking.

"The more we ponder the various crises threatening humanity, the more firmly we believe that interfaith cooperation is necessary, inevitable and urgent.” The Marrakesh Declaration has the potential to be a milestone in modern peacemaking efforts.

When Muslim peacemakers take bold initiatives to counter violence and work for peace, the world should take note. People of all faiths - and no faith - should do everything they can to support these efforts. Let me tell you why we should celebrate and support the Marrakesh Declaration. 

What can we, simple civilian followers of Jesus, do in response to ISIS? The fullness of ISIS's recruiting is complex, but one story they tell is that Westerners (and Christians, in particular) are at war with Muslims. So we must help those who are vulnerable to recruitment EXPERIENCE a story that contradicts the story ISIS is telling. 

The world is seemingly becoming overrun with hate and violence. We hear about yet another shooting practically daily, and almost any kind of disgruntlement or difference of opinion seems to be grounds for violence. But as we are so inundated with horror story after horror story, we’d like to bring you news of a story that turned out very differently. A story of how love can change the ending and win the day over hate and violence. A story that gives us hope that there is still something stronger in this world than fear and hatred.

As you start making your resolutions for the New Year, here are some easy and practical ways to get started with peacemaking (that anyone can do)...

Will you wage peace with us? Let’s pray in the new year by praying for Syria, South Sudan, Somalia, Central African Republic, and Afghanistan!