The UN document “Securing Our Common Future: An Agenda for Disarmament” outlined 4 sections:  Disarmament to save humanity, disarmament that saves lives, disarmament for future generations, and strengthening partnerships for disarmament.  Global goals for disarmament are vital for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in 2030.  Disarmament alone will not bring the world peace.  However, it is an essential step in the process.  The stockpiling of weapons of mass destruction, nuclear, chemical, and biological, has consumed the worlds resources.  While nations have poured their wealth into weapons of war and intimidation, people have suffered daily without adequate food, shelter, water, healthcare, housing or hope.  Millions have died in armed conflicts and earth herself has become contaminated by nuclear testing, nuclear waste and landmines yet to be removed.  This madness of death must stop before our massive weapons destroy all of us, as well as Earth our common home.

God, we long for peace, yet too often we bow in worship to the idols of weapons to “keep us safe”.  Help us to realize that our safety is never guaranteed, but our hope must always be in your love and care for us.  Change our hearts so that we forever forsake war as a way of solving differences among individuals and nations.  Let us turn toward one another with respect, listening to each other’s concerns and seeking solutions that serve the common good.