The death of Osama bin Laden raises many issues for prayer, study, discussion, and reflection. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has a number of resources available to use at this time. Among them are the Resolution on Violence, Religion and Terrorism from the 216th General Assembly (2004) and Faithful Living in a Time of Violence and Terrorism, a study paper on the resolution. The Thoughtful Christian offers a study Responding to Terrorism.
The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program offers a list of materials to help study and practice nonviolence. Resurrection Living: Journeying with the Nonviolent Christ is the most recent study resource on nonviolence for use by individuals or groups.
The General Assembly has made several statements related to Iraq and Afghanistan.
219th General Assembly (2010)
218th General Assembly (2008)
- Regarding Assistance for Iraqi Refugees
- On Building Peace in Iraq
- On Addressing the Violence and Suffering Inflicted on Iraqi Women During the Current Prolonged War
216th General Assembly (2004)
215th General Assembly (2003)
The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program has identified resources for caring for those serving in the military and their families:
- Ministering to Families Affected by Military Deployment
U.S. Army Chaplains - The Human Effects of War
A Reflection by the Rev. Ken Moe, Grand Canyon Presbytery - How to Help the Family of a Deployed Soldier
Recognizing the centrality of prayer to our lives, Faithful Living in a Time of Violence and Terrorism offers the following suggestions:
- Pray for peace, for one another, the community, national and international leaders, and the people of the world in each worship service.
- Light a candle for peace in each worship service.
- Use liturgical resources from around the world in worship, such as those found in Gifts of Many Cultures.
- Hold prayer vigils with other Presbyterian congregations and with ecumenical and
interfaith partners. - Pray daily for one another, the community, national and international leaders, and the people of the world.
- Create a group to pray together.
- Open a part of the church daily as a place of prayer and meditation.
Prayers for those who might be touched by the spiral of violence and revenge are also important.
Published since the study guide was written, Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor contains many hymns with peace themes.
The introduction to Faithful Living in a Time of Violence and Terrorism notes: "Through Christ, we are invited to look beyond what this world presents to God’s vision of wholeness and peace and to live into the hope brought about by God’s covenant." May these resources help us respond to Christ's invitation.