International Day of Peace

Sermon delivered by David Burrow September 21, 2025 for the peace pole gathering at First Congregational Church, Algona, Iowa

Click here for an audio version of this sermon. (6 MB - .mp3)

First Reading – • 1 Timothy 2:1 – 6. 8

Beloved:
First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers,
petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone,
especially those in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life
in all devotion and dignity.
This is good and pleasing to God our savior,
who wills everyone to be saved
and to come to knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God.
There is also one mediator between God and humanity,
the man Christ Jesus,
who gave himself as ransom for all.

It is my wish, then, that in every place the people should pray,
lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.

Second Reading - Selections from John 14

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You believe in God; believe also in me.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled
and do not be afraid.”

Prayer of Forgiveness and Peace

from the Marist Sisters Center for Concern

O God of Peace, forgive us for standing back as we witness the chaos in our world. Forgive us for our attitudes of indifference, as we watch the garden of humanity being consumed by weeds of violence, war, hunger, greed and corruption.

Show us, God, how to be better artisans of peace: to resolve conflict through dialogue, to replace weapons of war with acts of kindness and compassion, to respect the human rights of all peoples, to transform fear of our neighbors with trust, to abolish the deepening divisions between rich and poor.

O God of Peace, we hold our world in the palm of our hands, Forgive our past failures, and guide us as we promise to work for a world of peace. Amen.

I purposely chose to wear red and green today, because I’d like you to take a trip in your mind back nine months ago. At that point we were celebrating the Christmas season—lighting candles, listening to holiday music, and reading the gospel with the angel proclaiming peace and goodwill throughout the earth.

We always think of Christmas as a peaceful time. It is, as Charles Dickens wrote, “a kind, forgiving, charitable time; … when men and women … open their shut-up hearts freely, and think of (other) people as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave”. All around the world even people who aren’t Christian celebrate Christmas as a time of peace and happiness.

It’s easy to think of peace at Christmas, but sadly nine months later things have changed. We find ourselves in a world where peace seems disturbingly far away. We hear about Russia and Ukraine every day, but there’s war in many other countries, too. As of this month the United Nations has identified thirty-six nations around the world that are either at war or involved in armed domestic conflicts. Here in our own country we see hatred becoming normalized and calls for overcoming violence with more violence. Some of the worst suffering on earth is found in the place we celebrate at Christmas, the Holy Land where Jesus was born.

So it’s an atmosphere very different from Christmastime where we find ourselves on this International Day of Peace. We need to bring the cycle back. Now more than ever we need to remember Jesus’ word to his disciples that we read in our gospel today—“Peace I leave you; my peace I give you.” It can seem frustrating or overwhelming when we think of all the problems around the world, but Jesus is there to offer peace to us and to urge us to work to bring peace to our world.

The theme for the International Day of Peace is “Act Now for a Peaceful World”. United Nations Secretary—General António Guterres says, “A time of turbulence, tumult, and uncertainty means it is critical for everyone to take concrete action to mobilize for peace. Everyone has a role to play. We must speak up against violence, hate, discrimination, and inequality; practice respect; and embrace the diversity of our world.” The website for World Peace Day notes that there are many ways we can act right now:

Spark conversations about the urgent need for understanding, non-violence, and disarmament.
Volunteer in your community.
Listen to voices different from your own.
Challenge discriminatory language. in your workplace.
Report bullying both online and off-line.
Take time to verify facts before you post on social media.
Make purchases from socially-responsible brands.
Donate to organizations that promote human rights.

Our reading from Timothy is one of the lectionary readings suggested for today. It reminds us of one other way that we can act for peace. Paul urges us to pray for our leaders—and that means even the leaders with whom we might disagree. Whether we like it or not, it’s those leaders who have power in our world, and it’s up to us to pray for all our leaders and prod them to work for peace as well.

Let’s make this International Peace Day something more than just gathering around a peace pole and singing a few songs. Our actions speak louder than words, so let’s make those actions lead to peace that lasts longer than the Christmas season but brings at least as much joy to people everywhere.