. . . contemplative prayer is intrinsically connected with the theology of reconciliation . . . The cardinal point of this theology is that reconciliation is first and foremost the work of God, and we human beings are but agents of that reconciliation. For us to be faithful and effective agents of God’s reconciliation we must take care to be in contact with God. Contemplative prayer seems especially suited to that. In contemplative prayer we find ourselves not taking the initiating or active role, but rather find ourselves waiting on God to speak to us. Such a role reminds us that we are but vehicles for God’s reconciling action. We must be conformed to God if we are to be God’s agents, “ambassadors for Christ’s sake.” (2 Cor 5:20) The waiting on God creates within us the stillness wherein we become capable of hearing God speak to us. Otherwise God’s word to us runs the risk of being crowded out by our many words.

THEOLOGY OF RECONCILIATION AND PEACEMAKING FOR MISSION
Robert Schreiter
2003 Lectures for the
British and Irish Association of Mission Studies
New College, University of Edinburgh
Excerpt from Lecture 2