I NO LONGER PRAY FOR PEACE

by: Ann Weems
Ash Wednesday, March 5,2003

I NO LONGER PRAY FOR PEACE

On the edge of war, one foot already in,
I no longer pray for peace:
I pray for miracles.

I pray that stone hearts will turn
to tenderheartedness,
and evil intentions will turn
to mercifulness,
and all the soldiers already deployed
will be snatched out of harm's way,
and the whole world will be
astounded onto its knees.

I pray that all the "God talk"
will take bones,
and stand up and shed
its cloak of faithlessness,
and walk again in its powerful truth.
I pray that the whole world might
sit down together and share
its bread and its wine.

Some say there is no hope,
but then I've always applauded the holy fools
who never seem to give up on
the scandalousness of our faith:
that we are loved by God......
that we can truly love one another.

I no longer pray for peace:
I pray for miracles.

Ann Weems is the author of a number of books of poetry including "Kneeling in Jerusalem," "Putting the Amazing Back in Grace," and "Psalms of Lament." She serves on the National Committee of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship: http://presbypeacefellowship.faithweb.com Ann Weems has given permission to share this poem with others.