Reflect
During this week in 2004, a group of terrorists planted bombs on a series of trains in Madrid which killed almost 200 people.
The day after the bombings a huge crowd gathered in the centre of Madrid. One famous photograph captured a young woman holding a homemade sign saying 'Quien y por que?'... Translation: Who and why?
Whenever something terrible happens it's hard to come to terms with. It's even harder when that terrible thing happened because somebody deliberately made it happen.
Sometimes it seems as though we live in a world with a lot of anger and fear. You only have to turn on the TV or read a newspaper to realise that there are so many people who are angry.
It's difficult to say what the solution to these problems might be. We can certainly pray, and we should. We can also make sure that our lives are lives of love and peace. We can try our very best to be people who build others up and make them feel loved.
Doing this may not change the world by itself, but it will almost certainly have a far bigger effect than we realise.
Pray
Loving Father,
We pray for people whose hearts are full of hate and who are tempted to bring violence to others. We also pray for those whose lives have been torn apart by evil acts.
We pray that we can lead lives of love and peace; lives that contribute to a happier world, and not a more fearful and anxious one.
Amen.
Challenge
Your challenge today is to look at some news. Maybe on the TV, or in a paper. Maybe on the internet.
Find a situation where people are fighting one another, or where people are angry.
Take a moment to pray for everybody involved, and to pray for a more peaceful world.
Footsteps through Lent © Arundel & Brighton Diocesen Youth Service 2009 | Diocese of Arundel & Brighton | Site & Photo Credits
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