{"id":2931,"date":"2017-11-10T22:34:54","date_gmt":"2017-11-10T21:34:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/?p=2931"},"modified":"2017-12-04T23:10:44","modified_gmt":"2017-12-04T22:10:44","slug":"guest-post-war-and-peace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/11\/10\/guest-post-war-and-peace\/","title":{"rendered":"Guest post: War and peace"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Loods<\/a>Jewish Children’s Monument, Rotterdam (Source: wikipedia<\/a>)
\n <\/p>\n

Each year, since the mid-1920’s, the Scots International Church Rotterdam<\/a> hosts an annual Peace Service on Remembrance Sunday.<\/p>\n

Joost Pot<\/strong> – retired auxiliary minister of the Church of Scotland and long-standing member of this congregation – reflects on his war-time experiences and our abiding need to pray and work for peace.<\/p>\n

Joost writes,<\/p>\n

\nI remember, I remember,
\nthe house where I was born<\/em><\/p>\n

Thomas Hood (1798-1845)<\/p><\/div>\n

 
\nI remember. I was ten years old when the war started in the Netherlands on the 10th of May 1940. On that day, without warning, in the middle of the night, the Germans invaded our country. The fighting only lasted 5 days; the German army and air force were too powerful and overwhelmed us. Many Dutch soldiers were killed, and, after the bombing, the centre of Rotterdam was on fire for days. When the government and royal family left the country, the war went on from London with the Royal Navy (also around the former Dutch East Indies).<\/p>\n

Please, not that tune<\/h3>\n

It was not easy in the war to live under an unloved regime. Most Germans knew very well that they were hated. To show their power and impress the population, the solders marched through the streets, singing. They had a complete repertoire of songs full of fighting spirit, sung to their own German tunes. One of these tunes was a Croatian composition by Franz Joseph Haydn. This same tune has found its way into English hymn books as the tune for John Newton\u2019s wonderful hymn, ‘Glorious things of thee are spoken’. Now you understand why older Dutch church members have difficulty singing that hymn (tune). <\/p>\n

No more war<\/h3>\n

The German occupation lasted 5 years. When they capitulated, they left the Netherlands in chaos, with hunger and starvation, people being executed in reprisal or punishment, the Jewish population almost completely murdered, and so on.<\/p>\n

I remember May 1945 when the Germans capitulated; we were free but I knew of many who had been killed, never to come back. That was the start of local Remembrance ceremonies and speeches. We vowed we would all tell the younger generation, \u2018Never again war\u2019. But younger generations in some countries are not listening; they glorify war, it seems.<\/p>\n

I remember the stories I heard from people who survived the concentration camps and other awful things. What war does to people is terrible, humiliating and cruel. The Bible tells us that a time will come when war will be studied no more and swords will be transformed into ploughshares and the spears into pruning hooks. (Isaiah 2:4) Jesus taught us to love our enemies and he did not condemn those who crucified him. He taught us to forgive . . . <\/p>\n

Abiding legacy<\/h3>\n

I married Marion in Edinburgh in 1961, and we moved to Ridderkerk (15 minutes\u2019 drive south east of Rotterdam centre) and found our way to the Scots Church in Rotterdam. Like many churches in Britain, we have a Remembrance service on the Sunday closest to 11 November, with a bugler and piper. That same evening we hold our annual Peace Service.<\/p>\n

In reference to this long-standing tradition, Mrs Jean Morrison, a minister\u2019s wife, writes in her book, Scots on the Dijk<\/em> (1981): <\/p>\n

\u201cDr Brown\u2019s abiding legacy to the church is the annual United Service for Peace, an idea, stemming originally from a conference in Stockholm in 1924\u201d. <\/p>\n

In this service clergy from different nationalities and churches in the city of Rotterdam are invited to take part in their own language, so underlining the international prayer for peace. The service has a special atmosphere and is very inspiring. <\/p>\n

A Prayer<\/h3>\n

Almighty and Everlasting God, <\/p>\n

As the annual day of Remembrance approaches, we pray for the survivors of war. This is the time that they think of all that has happened – the destruction, their fears, the tragedy, the cruelty, asking why? It all comes back: the pain, the loss. It looks as if their scars get deeper and deeper. Is there no healing for those who once were the brave ones? But You are the Everlasting, the God of Peace, goodness and healing of all the wounds. When will our friends get rest?<\/p>\n

Yet, we must confess the shortcomings of the world; its pride, its selfishness, its greed, its evil divisions and hatred. Yes, we must confess our share in what is wrong, and our failure to change things for the better.<\/p>\n

Jesus said, \u201cBlessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God\u201d. Lord, we pray for all who are united in their passion for peace, justice and righteousness. <\/p>\n

Lord grant us Your Peace.
\nThrough Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.
\nAmen.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n

Also see From generation to generation<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Jewish Children’s Monument, Rotterdam (Source: wikipedia)   Each year, since the mid-1920’s, the Scots International Church Rotterdam hosts an annual Peace Service on Remembrance Sunday. Joost Pot – retired auxiliary minister of the Church of Scotland and long-standing member of this congregation – reflects on his war-time experiences and our abiding need to pray and … Continue reading “Guest post: War and peace”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[45,3,60],"tags":[91,89,92],"class_list":["post-2931","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-guest-post","category-prayer","category-story","tag-annual-peace-service","tag-remember","tag-rotterdam"],"yoast_head":"\nGuest post: War and peace - 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Rotown had a concert on that evening, so Bar3 would have to do. I took out my laptop to work on Joost Pot's guest post (War and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "story"","block_context":{"text":"story","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/story\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/jelle_vogel.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/jelle_vogel.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/jelle_vogel.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/jelle_vogel.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/03\/07\/wdp_2017_rotterdam\/","url_meta":{"origin":2931,"position":1},"title":"World Day of Prayer 2017 – Rotterdam","author":"Irene Bom","date":"March 7, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"World Day of Prayer is a movement and a process that requires a commitment in time, study, preparation, and personal stretching in order to bring into a local community, in an authentic way, the realities of women in distant places. It is a movement symbolized by an annual day of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "event"","block_context":{"text":"event","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/event\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":15768,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2024\/11\/11\/taste-the-goodness\/","url_meta":{"origin":2931,"position":2},"title":"Taste the goodness","author":"Irene Bom","date":"November 11, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 Litany based on Psalm 34:1-10 Living Rock of Abundant Life, the poor cried out; you heard, and saved them from all their troubles. To those who have nothing, your promise is this: whatever is needed will be given. Your eyes are on those who do justice, and your ears\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "prayer"","block_context":{"text":"prayer","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/watermelons.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/watermelons.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/watermelons.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/watermelons.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3011,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/11\/27\/guest-post-memories-of-the-hurricane\/","url_meta":{"origin":2931,"position":3},"title":"Guest post: Memories of the hurricane","author":"Brian Turnbow","date":"November 27, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Beltway, Houston, Texas, after Hurricane Harvey hit (August 2017) Another guest post, this time from Brian Turnbow, one-time student on placement in Rotterdam (2007) and later returning as locum during Rev. Robert Calvert's study leave in 2012. Brian lives and works in Houston, Texas. 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For all that shall be - Yes! \u00a0 by Dag Hammarskj\u00f6ld, from Markings, p. 89 \u00a0 More of\/on Dag Hammarskj\u00f6ld dag-hammarskjold.net Desiring Peace: A Meditation on Dag Hammarskj\u00f6ld, by Roger Lipsey\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "prayer"","block_context":{"text":"prayer","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/coolhaven_by_night.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/coolhaven_by_night.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/coolhaven_by_night.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/coolhaven_by_night.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16743,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2025\/10\/20\/sowing-and-reaping\/","url_meta":{"origin":2931,"position":5},"title":"Sowing and reaping","author":"Irene Bom","date":"October 20, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Mosaic wall, Scots International Church Rotterdam Prayer of Intercession (inspired by 2 Corinthians 9:6) In humility of heart let us pray to God the Father of all. \u00a0 Lord, in your word you teach us that sparse sowing means meagre reaping; give us generous hearts as we respond to your\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/sicr_mosaic_wall_autumn_leaves.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/sicr_mosaic_wall_autumn_leaves.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/sicr_mosaic_wall_autumn_leaves.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/sicr_mosaic_wall_autumn_leaves.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Joost Pot","author_link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/author\/joostpot\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/guest-post\/\" rel=\"category tag\">guest post<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/\" rel=\"category tag\">prayer<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/story\/\" rel=\"category tag\">story<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Jewish Children’s Monument, Rotterdam (Source: wikipedia)   Each year, since the mid-1920’s, the Scots International Church Rotterdam hosts an annual Peace Service on Remembrance Sunday. 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