Easter Peace

A letter from Choon and Yen Hee Lim, Regional Liaison for East Asia, based in South Korea

April 2017

Friends in Mission,
On March 22, 2017, I visited the Korean Christian Federation (KCF) in Pyongyang to deliver 30 tons of flour to Bongsu Church’s Bread Factory. To meet the need for humanitarian aid for children in North Korea, PC(USA) has supported KCF as a partner church since 1978. During my visit, I also delivered a message from the NCCK (National Council of Churches in Korea) in Seoul that invited the KCF to participate in a “2017 Easter Joint North-South Prayer.” This is the Easter Prayer for Reconciliation and Peace on the Korean peninsula:

“Lord, you who have defeated death and risen,
In this season where we remember the joys of resurrection,
Thank you for showing the marvels of life this spring through the vitality of green life.

Yes, Lord!
This world was created beautifully in God’s eyes,
Who also sent his one and only Son, Jesus,
To save those who have sinned against You.
Lord, You have shown us how to live as God’s children,
And Your Spirit has led us not only through life,
But also through history.

But Lord,
The sorrows of the 70-years ethnic separation,
Still lingers since the time of our North/South division.
We have lost the hopes of ‘becoming one with God,’
And have sought after earthly goods instead of peace.

Pity us, Lord.
Clear away the pain-filled memories of separation,
And also the rusty barbed-wires.
Help the North and the South fulfill a life of harmony and peace,
As the farmer readies himself to till new land and plant new life,
Prepare us Lord.

Lord,
Help us first open our firmly closed hearts,
So that we can embrace each other with tenderness.
Let us sow the seeds of tolerance, love and service,
And with God’s blessings,
May that land bear much fruit,
And bless our people with a life full of joy and harmony.

God of life,
Help the churches of the North and the South,
To defeat this cold death-like reality.
God of peace,
Help us work together with one united mind,
To fulfill the dreams of unification.
Help us remember the days when the North and the South once were one,
To better live in a world of harmony and peace.

God of life,
In this season of resurrection where we await the signs of spring,
Help us see the hopes of new life,
Sprouting in the cold barren land.

God of justice,
In this land where Your glory awaits,
Let the rivers of justice flow,
Bringing forth Your plans for us.

In Jesus name, the one who has defeated death and risen again,
Amen

May this Joint North-South Easter Prayer offer you inspiration for reflection and hope in Christ’s resurrection during this Lenten time. Please use it in Easter services where it is appropriate. I also hope it may be a useful resource for you in praying for reconciliation and peace in your communities, in the Korean peninsula, in East Asia and in the world.

May we take this opportunity to thank you for your financial support and prayers that are making a world of difference to those in need of forgiveness, reconciliation and justice on the Korean peninsula and in East Asia. Please continue to support us so that we can share the unconditional love from Jesus Christ through this healing ministry in East Asia, especially in North Korea.

Grace and peace to you all,

Choon and Yen Hee Lim
Regional Liaison for East Asia