The Peace Wall

For those of you who are not from Northern Ireland, you may not be aware that there is a 'Peace Wall' that runs through Belfast that divides Catholic and Protestant communities. It stands at 25 feet and is built of concrete, steel and brick. It runs altogether for 14 miles.

We've had a peace process in Northern Ireland, after nearly 40 years of bloody conflict but our communities are still divided. Generally, most Catholic and Protestant people are raised in different communities, towns and villages and are educated in separate schools. We are even taught different curriculums in school. Our country is still divided and we are fearful at times of changing this. For many, the first time they get to develop a proper relationship with the 'other' is when they get a job or go to university.

This isn't God's plan for our city. I don't think it ever was and I don't think it ever will be.

That's why we wrote the song 'Walls' on our new album. It's all about the Peace Wall in Belfast. We want the walls to tumble down.

The key line in the song states, "Praise is rising, Walls are falling". It's an attempt to make some sort of connection with the ancient story of Jericho. I know the context is different but there is something very symbolic about that story which resonates with where I live. I would love the praise of our lips and lives to bring the walls down. To stimulate more peace, greater forgiveness and deeper healing.

We've been playing the song a lot in our live set. It feels like we are breaking a taboo because we are very fearful in Northern Ireland of raising issues like this publicly in case it offends someone.

Our experience is that people have really responded to the song. It seems to bring a challenge and forces people to think, to ask themselves questions. "Do I want the Peace Wall to be dismantled?" "Am I ready?". It is exciting to stimulate this sort of thinking in the context of worship. Risky at times, but exciting.

I personally can't wait till the day the walls come down...

Johnny