Fasting with Francis in the cause of peace

The crisis in Syria has left few dry eyes and caused many clenched fists. It is nearly impossible for North Americans to empathize with the suffering and human rights abuses occurring in the Middle East.

But what can we possibly do to stop violence halfway across the world?

The Pope has firmly condemned the use of chemical weapons and appealed to world leaders to seek peace through dialogue. In an effort to foster peace, Francis has proclaimed Sept. 7 as a day of fasting and prayer for peace and encouraged Christians, Muslims and people of other faiths worldwide to participate.

Many would agree, Catholic or not, that a good way to end violence is to stop being a bystander. As school children we learned to be proactive with bullying. That sounds simple, but what if we cannot be proactive? What if we cannot intervene? What if the issue is too large, too political and too despairingly destructive? What if a country seems to be self destructing and an entire region of the world is in turmoil? What if the situation is so volatile that the international community has no choice but to be a bystander?

I have been struggling with these questions. Since working as an intern at the United Nations, I have battled an inner conflict that has me discouraged with talk and craving action. But I struggle with how someone insignificant in the political world can make a difference in issues over which I have no control.

Francis’ day of fasting offers hope for the hopeless. It provides a means to intervene from afar in a peaceful way.

Fasting and prayer serve spiritual purposes that proclaim, “Hey, we’re praying for you over here,” and they serve practical purposes that say, “Guess what, we’re not okay with how this conflict is being handled — and we’re not the only ones.”

Becoming united in thoughts and deeds with the global community is a tangible way to support the cause of peace. But fasting and prayer are also spiritual exercises that we sometimes underestimate.

Fasting is a choice to deny our bodies and minds of something physical so we can make room for the spiritual.

Our united prayer should resemble, “Lord, in the absence of/act of  ______ , allow us to be filled with ______.”

We can fill in that first blank with a sacrifice, either something we are giving up (food, TV show, Facebook, etc.), or something we are doing (volunteering, visiting someone, doing an act of service, etc.).

But we are united in the word we use to fill the second blank: peace.

Let us all be united in fasting and prayer for peace in Syria. The war must end, and this can be our way to participate in a peaceful dialogue.