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Pointers from CPT Congress
Hello,
Here are some gems or pointers that I picked up at the Christian Peacemaker Teams [CPT] Congress last weekend. I thought many of you might find them helpful.
When I was sharing with a CPT steering committee member about some thoughts on prayer, she had a unique insight. I told her that I had come to feel that in a lot of ways prayer is just taking the time to say the words.
Its effectiveness is not dependent very much on how we say the words, or our state of mind, how much we believe etc., but on the great listener we have, God. She said, "Life is 99% just showing up." In other words, prayer is a lot just being available.
Another person was explaining about how their church is involved in a program of study that is based on the premise that if we want to grow, we need to give our time to practice and study. The web site is www.justfaith.org We don't learn to do anything well without concentrated practice and study. The implication of that for prayer, peacemaking, loving, and what we see really is a challenge to us.
"The truth always wins," implies that we don't have to try to manipulate things or people to win, but that we have to tell the simple truth and in the end we will win. A CPTer shared how he learned this from a Native in Grassy Narrows, Ontario, Canada, where a CPT project is ongoing.
Two brothers from "Operation Dove" in Italy attended the Congress. These brothers are people of faith, who do very similar work to CPT work. It felt encouraging to share with others who are being called to similar work. We are not Lone Rangers; as a matter a fact, there are quite a few such organizations around.
For me the most significant parts of the Congress were the times of talking with people, catching up with with old friends and making many new friends. Three friends with whom I did not have a very close relationship shared with me their present personal struggles. That was a gift, as friendship is always a gift. It is important to take time with our friends.
Keep up the praying,
Jim

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