Thank God for Archbishop John Sentamu’s fasting-andprayer campaign.

Unlike M. Hawkins ((HAS, Aug 26), I believe we have to start somewhere to try to bring about peace in the world, especially the Middle- East.

As a believer in a creator God, I find prayer is powerful. I occasionally join the archbishop in spirit on the hour when he prays 6am-6pm this week.

From little acorns...

Michael Morrissey, Saltburn.

REGARDING the suggestion from M. Hawkins (HAS, August 26) that Dr John Sentamu is wasting his time organising a prayer vigil.

Perhaps this is not the case.

Dr Sentamu is well respected, by Christians and non Christians alike, as a man of action as well as words. At the very least his actions bring hope to a war weary world. At the best...well let’s see what seven days bring.

God bless him and his mission. I for one will join him in daily prayer for the rest of the week.

Clive Merrick, Darlington.

I CONSIDER M. Hawkins conclusion (HAS August 26) that “‘Dr. Sentamu’s fast is a complete waste of time” is decidedly premature.

Though I can understand his thought process, it would have been more appropriate to “wait and see”.

Dr. Sentamu has certainly put his head above the parapet in the debate related to the propensity of prayer – at least a very brave man particularly after referring to the current religious turmoil as “military idolatry”.

It would appear that he may have forgotten that the turmoil in the Middle East and elsewhere for over a thousand years has been due primarily to religious selfrighteousness, prejudice and intolerance. It is neither the first nor second time religion of one persuasion or another has been the prime cause of conflict, be it by the sword or more deadly forms of weaponry.

If, and it’s a big if, his fasting and prayer inspires him personally to greater “works” then many questions still on the table will be answered. Only time will tell.

Brian G. Howarth, Consett.

AS I understand it, prayer is a petition from humanbeings to a deity asking for intervention.The evidence as far as I can see is that the deity does not intervene. He created everything and set the rules of nature and the rest is up to us. The saying “God helps those who help themselves” applies.

I can’t understand an Archbishop praying for peace because Jesus said there will be wars and rumours of wars until the end of time.

I have always sought ways to persuade others that national policies should be directed towards peaceful settlements but from what I see, if our Government decides to go to war they are not lacking in popular support.

In my own mind I don’t discount the possibility of circumstances in which it would be justifiable to be involved in war, even necessary. Knowing what we know of the regime under Hitler I can’t see how it would be right to sit back and hope it would go away.

War should be a last resort but should not be ruled out.

My main concern is the confidence we can have in the leadership in this country because they have involved us in conflicts which have made matters worse The Archbishop should use his position to urge the Government to be more reflective, and subject its thinking to more mature judgement.

Geoff Bulmer, Billingham.