This week's news

At the G8 summit there is an agreement to rewrite world rules to stamp out tax evasion.

The US is to open direct peace talks with the Taliban, senior White House officials have announced. A meeting has been arranged in Qatar and the Afghan government is also sending a delegation. The announcement came on the day Nato handed over security for the whole of Afghanistan to government forces.

TV presenter Stuart Hall has been jailed for sexually abusing girls.

A silent, standing protest by performance artist Erdem Gunduz has been taken up by hundreds of anti-government demonstrators and spread to several Turkish cities.

The UN says 7.6 million people became refugees in 2012, with the total number now higher than at any time since 1994.

Reflection

The war in Afghanistan has caused so many deaths and devastated individuals and families. For over ten years the USA has been at war with the Taliban and now Barack Obama is seeking peace. Operation Yew Tree has brought to light many historic cases of abuse and now their perpetrators are being brought to justice. Tax evasion means that some carry an unfair burden of taxation while others escape their responsibilities. These are some of  the demons in contemporary society and a way of revealing God’s inclusive, healing love is to cast them out.

The ways of casting out or attempting to cast out the various demons in society differ enormously. The silent protest of Erdem Gunduz contrasts with the calls to arm the Syrian rebels. Sometimes the need for action is very clear, as in tax evasion. At other times individuals carry pain silently for decades, as with the historic abuse cases.

What are the issues underlying these demons: conflict, misuse of power, lack of respect, injustice? Are any of these present in our churches? Are there things that we can do to cast them out?

The news can reveal the brokenness of the world but in all these cases it is important to see the action of God working to bring about restoration and reconciliation. We can set Luke 8.29 alongside Luke 8.35. Here is an example of the power of God unleashed to transform a life. There is potential for transformation of our world if we align ourselves to the power of God as revealed in Christ.

The new creation will include Taliban and American; abused and abuser; tax evader and tax payer. What are the implications of this in terms of repentance and acceptance of love?

The Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave their community; they were apparently unable to cope with his transforming power. How well would we cope with the impact of the removal of the demons from our world today?

Prayer

But you, O Lord, do not be far away! 

We pray for justice and mercy for all people, 

especially those who carry the pain of historic offences.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done.

O my help, come quickly to my aid!

We seek peace and reconciliation throughout the world 

and we commend to you the peace talks 

between the USA and the Taliban.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done.

But you, O Lord, do not be far away! 

We pray a welcome for those who are strangers 

in a land to which they have fled.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done.

O my help, come quickly to my aid!

We pray for the coming of your kingdom 

where all are honoured and respected 

and where all know that they are part of 

your all embracing love.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done.

Amen.

Questions

• Who would you say are the demons in our world?
• Are there ways in which we can align ourselves with God’s power to cast them out?

Action

Victims of historic abuse often feel ignored, side-lined or marginalised. They do not believe that their voices are heard or that they are taken seriously. This week, make a special effort to listen to those around you and to show that you take them seriously.

Young People

Erdem Gunduz walked to Turkey's sealed-off Taksim Square with no announcement, no signs, no explanation and silently stood there for eight hours. This small but powerful act of defiance magnetised others to join in his peaceful resistance. What would it take to make you join in such a protest?

Stuart Wild is the Superintendent Minister of the Manchester Methodist Circuit.

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