Peacework: Prayer and Resistance and Community

by Henri J.M. Nouwen

Henri Nouwen wrote this book twenty years ago as his personal response in a time of heightening Cold War tensions. Its publication now, in a new era of fear and violence, is particularly timely. On the one hand Peacework represents a passionate call to all Christians to embrace Jesus’ ethic of peacemaking as an “unconditional, unlimited, and uncompromising” demand. But Nouwen goes on to show that peacemaking is more than a matter of carrying placards or opposing war. It must begin with a life of prayer, a movement from “the dwelling place” of fear and hatred and into the house of God. The next step is to “resist the powers of death”–not just in the form of armies and armaments, but in our everyday selfishness and bondage to destructive consumer values. Finally we are called to celebrate life and to build communities in which love, forgiveness, and compassion bind us in solidarity with a wounded world.

Genres: Religion, Faith, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Christianity, Theology, Prayer

140 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 28, 2005

About the author

Henri Jozef Machiel Nouwen was a Dutch Catholic priest, theologian, psychologist, professor, and spiritual writer whose work profoundly shaped contemporary Christian spirituality. Born in Nijkerk, the Netherlands, in 1932, Nouwen pursued religious studies and was ordained a priest in 1957. His intellectual curiosity led him to study psychology at the Catholic University of Nijmegen and later at the Menninger Clinic in Kansas, where he explored the connection between faith and mental health. Throughout his life, Nouwen remained committed to integrating pastoral care, psychology, and spiritual theology in a way that addressed the emotional and existential needs of believers.
Nouwen held teaching positions at prestigious institutions including the University of Notre Dame, Yale Divinity School, and Harvard Divinity School. He authored over three dozen books and hundreds of articles, with notable works such as The Wounded Healer, The Return of the Prodigal Son, Life of the Beloved, and The Inner Voice of Love. His writing, often rooted in personal vulnerability and spiritual struggle, resonated with readers across denominations. Nouwen openly explored themes of loneliness, identity, intimacy, and the human desire for love and belonging, making his voice especially relatable and influential.
Though he was a gifted academic and popular speaker, Nouwen found his deepest calling later in life through his involvement with L’Arche, a network of communities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After a transformative stay at the original L’Arche community in France, Nouwen accepted an invitation to become the pastor of L’Arche Daybreak in Richmond Hill, Ontario. There he developed a close bond with Adam Arnett, a core member with severe disabilities, which inspired the book Adam: God’s Beloved. At Daybreak, Nouwen discovered a deep spiritual home and a community that helped him embrace his humanity in profound ways.
Throughout his life, Nouwen wrestled with issues of identity, including his sexuality and his longing for connection, though he remained faithful to his vows. His openness about depression and inner conflict gave depth to his pastoral message, and his ability to turn personal struggle into shared spiritual insight made him one of the most beloved spiritual writers of the 20th century.
Henri Nouwen died in 1996 of a sudden heart attack, but his legacy endures through his writings, the Henri Nouwen Society, and the continued global reach of his message of belovedness, vulnerability, and compassionate community. His books remain bestsellers, widely read in seminaries, churches, and among individuals seeking a more intimate walk with God.

Reviews

[Sanjuro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nouwen's book is light on theology and exegesis, and amounts to little more than a collection of thoughts, insights, and platitudes, and yet still, the book manages to be helpful and inspiring.

The book is held back slightly by being too tied to its historical moment. Because Nouwen related his material to specific circumstances, reading the book now, 20 years after much of the material was written, requires the reader to correlate the ideas and principles to their own modern milieu. There are also certain thoughts, such as the idea that resistance not only cooperates with prayer but is somehow itself an act of prayer, that never really receive the explanation they deserve.

Despite these few issues, the book succeeds in what I suspect was Nouwen's purpose, to inspire the reader to be an advocate for peace and peacemaking. I was deeply affected by many of the passages, and drawn into introspection and prayer. I shared many quotes from this book with my friends, and it will surely continue not only to inspire my thoughts but affect my actions as well. Peacemaking is not an option for the people of God, but an essential aspect of who we are, and Nouwen was one of peacemaking's best advocates.

[Mary Kate Zander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this book. It was written in response to global nuclear proliferation, but is applicable to so many social battles we're facing in modern times. I recommend this book to friends on the regular. This one is a must read.

[Rick Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henri Nouwen has been a treasured spiritual guide since I first read his classic text, *The Wounded Healer* in college. I had purchased *Peacework* some years back for a study but on a whim recently pulled it off my bookshelf to reread. It was just the solace and challenge I needed for these times where peace of mind and peace among neighbors (local and global) seems so tenuous. Nouwen's reflections are primarily prompted by the nuclear threat and some references seem dated to the situation of the 1980s when this book was written. However, the book as a whole transcends any particular socio-political time period and speaks directly to the root of challenge of peacemaking and its essential grounding in the spiritual life. The book's argument is divided up into three interconnected chapters that correspond with the three interconnected dimensions of peacework: prayer, resistance, and community. It speaks straight into our current time of deep vitriol, fear, and hostility with a powerful reminder that the life of peace grounded in a relationship with God is profoundly counter-cultural and sets us at odds with this culture that seeks to divide us into enemies. Nouwen is not offering easy comfort nor a three step plan to make the world a better place. Instead he is inviting the reader into a deep connection with this divine which moves us into peacework, a work that is often active resistance to the forces of division and death in our world. At the heart of this is a reminder of the importance of grounding oneself in a community of support and accountability. This community of faith is not a place where we set ourselves apart as superior to others. Instead, Nouwen insists that this is a community of confession. "Community emerges when we dare to overcome our fears and confess to each other how much we still belong to the world." (p.105). Our confession is a reminder that the enemy of peace resides in us and it frees us from the conceit that peace comes from our will and determination alone. Our confession opens us to deeper connection with the divine spirit of peace and we are set apart to engage fully a world that lacks peace in prayerful resistance. This is a critical read for our current times.

[Bryan Neuschwander · Rating 4 out of 5]

"We cannot love issues, but we can love people, and the love of people reveals to us the way to deal with issues. A compassionate register always looks straight into the eyes of real people and overcomes the inclination to diagnose the 'real problem' too soon" (78).

"...joy does not necessarily mean happiness. In the world we are made to believe that joy and sorrow are opposites and that joy excludes pain, suffering, anguish, and distress. But the joy of the Gospel is a joy born on the cross. It is not the sterile happiness of victory parties, but the deep joy of knowing that evil and death have no final power over us, a joy anchored in the words of Jesus: 'In the world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer; I have conquered the world'" (81).

"One of the reasons that so many people have developed strong reservations about the peace movement is precisely that they do not see the peace they seek in the peacemakers themselves. Often what they see are fearful and angry people trying to convince others of the urgency of their protest" (70).

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one stays in my nightstand, until that day when war will be no more. Perfect read for this time and hour in history, on the brink and entering into a time where the Prince of Peace is needed every hour, every minute. Nouwen teaches what resistance and reconciliation are and gives hope, real practical action that we can all take to escape the paralyzing inaction of hopelessness or the equally fatal violent retaliation against mankind that ultimately leads to a global suicide pact. Full of hope and encouragement and eye opening awareness of what we are here for and why.

[Lori Galaske · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not your typical Nouwen with his ever-present theme of God’s love. In Peaceworks, he gives practical insight into truly being peacemakers. In his beautiful prose, he brings the idea of peace - of making peace a reality - into daily life and moment-by-moment decisions. In this moment, in this situation, with this person who is right here right now, will you choose love or hate? Life or death? And ultimately peace or war?

[MK Wildeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strangely poignant for these days. Another great Nouwen work.

[Brace1737 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This small book will give you much to think about. Put it on your reading list

[Don Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice short work but filled with great insights and good thoughts on peacemaking and community.

[dthaase · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very rewarding and challenging read considering how we are to be peacemakers in this world that is filled with so much turmoil. Nouwen writes during the Cold War era and much of his discussion revolves around the nuclear arms race. However, his words are just as pertinant today in a world filled with evil and many actions that threaten peace. I particularly enjoyed Nouwen's challenge for us to begin this peacework process by focusing on our own inner lives and the peace or lack of peace that exists there. The roles of prayer, resistance, and community are explored in the peace making process with attention given to the requirement that a Christian is by definition a person of peace.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nouwen has been one of the most influential writers for me, and this book is no different. The idea of Peace is much greater than just world peace or just inner peace, but encompasses all of us in our actions, thoughts, and motives. Nouwen gives a compelling argument for seeking to be peaceful people ourselves by being highly aware of the kind of violence we commit in our own minds and decisions, namely the kinds of television and movies that we watch. These images do not go unnoticed or unaffected and we must and can decide what kind of influence they will have in our lives. I highly recommend this book.

[Deborah-Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Nouwen recounts his time at L'Arche as an experiment in peacebuilding and offers helpful advice to Christians who wish to spread the Gospel of Peace and Love. Nouwen does not discuss in detail his experiences working with people with disabilities, but does give much thought to the lessons of community, prayer, and discipleship that he learned during his time with those who could not communicate with him the same way as others. Nouwen offers philosophical insights and helpful strategies. Throughout it all, he reminds us of the Spiritual discipline of peacemaking all rooted in Biblical understandings.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars because of several great nuggets of wisdom and insight found in the book. Almost gave it three stars because it was hard to identify with the repeated references to nuclear war that Nouwen expected to happen any day during the time he wrote this book. Thankfully we live in a different time now, and although we do have some fears about potentially disastrous world events, we do not expect to experience a total destruction of the earth as people did during the Cold War era.

[Melea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henri Nouwen has written an excellent and thought-provoking treatise on exactly how and why it is necessary to be a person working for peace. He states upfront that a person must be grounded properly, and resisting (not fighting) a culture of death. I read this book as part of my Lenten devotions, and am very glad that I did. I have a lot to meditate upon, and some changes that need to be made.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henri Nouwen was a member of the Catholic worker movement, and a friend of my friend who is the death row chaplain in Georgia. I have been reading his writings for many years. He has a very deep understanding of the relationship between loving God and translating that love into action for the benefit of others. I highly recommend that you read this little book.

[cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

i am "currently reading" this in that i pick it up in the St. Agatha's Adoration Chapel every time I go with Ben. And, since I'm a slacker, that's not very often.

Regardless, it's a moving and motivating book from a great human being...

[Leigh Ann]

Peace begins with me..

Great book for discussion and reflection.