Many people outside the United Kingdom were probably unaware of the deep significance of the State Visit to the Republic of Ireland by Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip this past spring. The first visit by a British monarch since Ireland declared its freedom from the Crown in 1916 was something that could never have been envisaged during the years of turbulence and violence in Northern Ireland, which continues to be part of the United Kingdom.

Cross-border collaboration in terrorist acts and huge political tensions were common elements of what has become known as the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland. During the more than 40 years this turmoil lasted, there were many false dawns and failed initiatives at all levels. Old historical and religious grudges were held and cited as the legitimate reasons for destructive terrorist actions. It seemed that people would never get beyond the history of hurts and hatred handed down from those before.

Through all those years, my husband and I—like many others living in the North—worked, built a home, and raised our children, even though at times normal living and activity were restricted and uncertain. We are deeply grateful for God’s care and protection through this time of terrorist activity.

An example of this protection occurred one night in April 1994. A gunman shot through the front window of the home of our next-door neighbors. The father and son, who were sitting in the living room at evening prayer, were shot several times. Both were seriously wounded.

Peacemaking becomes easier when we try to listen to and understand what our neighbors are saying about their lives and their challenges.

I heard the shots and from my window saw the gunman flee to a waiting car. This was followed by cries for help. My teenage son, the only other member of the family at home that night, ran with me to give what help we could until the police and an ambulance arrived. The father, a deeply Christian man, later told us how, even as he was being taken to the hospital, he was able to let go of all fear and bitterness, and forgive those who had done this. He made a wonderful and speedy recovery both physically and mentally from what were potentially fatal injuries.

While some people still are struggling with this painful past, Northern Ireland is a very different place now. We are beginning to experience a promise from God in the book of Joel. To me, it applies not just to my country but to any part of the world where terrorism and war have left their mark: “I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten” (2:25).

One of the causes for hope over the years has been the way many people have responded to the violence and hatred which, at times, seemed to envelop Northern Ireland. Besides the
demonstrations and marches for peace, long-term centers for prayer and reconciliation have been established. Many churches, community initiatives, and individuals have prayerfully worked toward the healing of the divisions and hurts in our country, and indeed the wider world—and they continue to do so.

The Queen’s visit to Ireland was part of that restoration, and both she and the Irish President Mary McAleese spoke movingly of the desire let go of past grievances and to work together as close neighbors.

Love: a command, not an option

An insight I got from Jesus’ life helped me see the importance of making a real effort to establish communication on all sides. His command to all his followers is to “love thy neighbour,” and it is just that—a command! There is no opt-out clause. And we can’t love our neighbors if we avoid them or don’t bother to get to know them (see Mark 12:30, 31).

One of the lessons I learned through those years—and which goes with the need for active love—is the importance of not hastily or harshly judging the experiences and opinions of others. Christ Jesus put it this way in his Sermon on the Mount: “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged” (Matt. 7:1, 2).

To reach out to others whose lives may be very different from our own is one way to overcome the desire to judge. It isn’t always easy to make contact with those on the “other side,” especially when deeply held religious or social beliefs divide us. Nevertheless, it’s a fact that peacemaking becomes easier when we try to listen to and understand what our neighbors are saying about their lives and their challenges.

When we really begin to understand our relationship to God and that we are all children of this one Father-Mother God, we can meet at this spiritual standpoint, and know that it’s not what we think about anyone that is important but what God knows. I’m not saying this is easy, but it is a very big step on the pathway to healing—not only for individuals but also for communities everywhere.

Resist evil

Nehemiah’s life is a wonderful example of how to stand firm in the face of evil. A cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, he was inspired by love of God to rebuild the broken-down walls of Jerusalem. The persistence he demonstrated during this task is one of the most important qualities needed in the work of reconciliation and peace building. He was able to continue his work under all circumstances in the knowledge that it had all the strength and power of God behind it.

When his enemies tried to lure him into a position where they could harm him, he refused to be taken in by their threats. He declared, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?” He reports that his enemies “sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.” When these individuals made another devious attempt to frighten the builders and put an end to the work, Nehemiah prayed, “Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.”

Finally, despite all the threats and danger he and his helpers had faced, Nehemiah could write: “So the wall was finished . . . . When all our enemies heard thereof, . . . they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God” (Neh. 6:3, 4, 9, 15, 16).

Forgiveness heals

Many of those who have suffered deeply from terrorism in Northern Ireland and elsewhere have been able to be strong like Nehemiah, go even further, and forgive those who perpetrated acts of violence. One was Gordon Wilson, whose daughter, Marie, died beside him, in one of the worst atrocities of the Troubles. A large bomb was detonated prior to a Remembrance Day Service in the town of Enniskillen in 1987. Eleven people were killed. Mr. Wilson was himself injured, but the next day his words echoed around the province, and much farther afield: “I have lost my daughter, but I bear no ill will, I bear no grudge . . . God is good and we shall meet again.”

He offered to meet and talk to those involved, and later some representatives of the terrorist organization, the Provisional IRA, did meet with him at a secret destination in County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland. While some found his views and actions difficult to accept, he was firm in his own resolve and became a beacon of hope in a very dark time. His words inspired many others, both here and all over the world, in the work of peace and reconciliation.

In the Lord’s Prayer we ask, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matt. 6:12). If we truly mean this when we pray, and live accordingly, we can expect healing and harmony not just for ourselves but for our communities and nations. It is a lifetime challenge!

For many in my country there is still a deep sense of injustice at the root of their grief and hurt, and it continues to be important that we do not forget those who are still seemingly suffering whether mentally or physically. There is still much need for healing in individual lives, in our country, and in the wider world.

Defended everywhere by God’s all-power

When one is praying about situations where injustice, violence, hatred, terror, and fear seem to hold sway, it is important to insist on the omnipotence of God: “I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me” (Isa. 45:5). Nor is there any place where omnipotence is absent. As Mary Baker Eddy explains in Science and Health: “God is everywhere, and nothing apart from Him is present or has power” (p. 473). When praying with this statement, I find it inspiring to replace the word God in turn with each of the synonyms for Deity that are given on page 587 in Science and Health: Principle, Mind, Soul, Spirit, Life, Truth, Love. What a wonderful sense of His allness this gives us.

The threat of terrorism is still great all over the world. There are still those who misguidedly feel that violence and intimidation can resolve issues and bring their aspirations to fruition. But within the inspiring words of the 91st Psalm we are given the clearest promise of God’s enduring and all-encompassing protection.

When these words are accepted and understood, we can know that in whatever situation we may seem to find ourselves, we are safe. As Mary Baker Eddy wrote in Science and Health, “Clad in the panoply of Love, human hatred cannot reach you” (p. 571). No one is outside God’s protecting presence. As we hold to that spiritual fact, we can go forward hopefully and
unafraid.

For me personally there is one powerful truth that has helped me over the years and which encompasses all. It is the great promise of the Christ, the divine influence that touches each heart, transforming it and leading it to a higher, more spiritual sense of life. The Christ was the divine force that enabled Jesus to heal, and it is the Comforter that Jesus promised his disciples (see John 14:16).

Mrs. Eddy described this Comforter as “the sign of Immanuel, or ‘God with us,’—a divine influence ever present in human consciousness” (Science and Health, p. xi). This divine influence is essential to peacemaking. Because of this promise we can overcome fear, we can forgive, we can love our neighbor and show compassion. We can also know that all people—and that means everyone—can feel this influence. As they do, changes and miracles can occur in individual lives and then in provinces, countries, and in our world.

This is why we have hope for the future.