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[ By Iya Marilyn Kai Jewett ]Those who worship the Creator in the tradition of our African ancestors will put forth a communal effort when Yoruba/Orisha/Ifa devotees throughout the world of all traditions will join together December 10-21 to pray for peace and the healing of our communities and the world. Organized by Baba Willie Ramos, a priest from Miami, the rituals will take place in Ibadan Nigeria, Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Washington DC, Venezuela and Costa Rica. Ramos’ father, a highly respected priest in the Miami area organized the ritual prayers annually in Florida. Now that he has made transition, Ramos felt he must continue and expand the tradition his father established.

“He felt it was especially important this year given the conflict in the world and the violence in the U.S.,” explained Baba Facundo Harris, a babalowo in the Lucumi tradition and coordinator of the Philadelphia effort. “This is monumental. Now, we have an opportunity to work together on a global scale that’s never been done before in our religion.”

The Orisha World Peace and Healing Initiative (http://www.oloshasunited.com/) will culminate December 19 and 20. On the 19^thYoruba/Orisha/Ifa communities will conduct an annual purification cleansing ritual in honor of the Orisha Babalu Aye. In the Yoruba culture, the angelic forces are called Orisha and along with the Egun (ancestors), work with Olódùmarè (Almighty God) on behalf of mankind. Babalu Aye is the patron of those who suffer from infectious disease and is revered throughout Africa and the Diaspora as a powerful healer. He blesses and heals those who are sick and imparts wisdom and success. Each December the ritual is conducted to clear oneself of illness, negative energy and pray for good health and success in the coming year. Devotees pray not only for healing, but for supreme strength, righteousness and revelation. Babalu Aye, who is syncretized as Saint Lazarus, was first exposed to Americans through a song written in his honor, made famous by Desi Arnaz.

On December 20, devotees throughout the world will hold a worship service in honor of the Orisha Obatala, the oldest Orisha, who is known as “King of the White Cloth.” On that day, people across the world will gather to pay homage to the Orisha of purity and serenity so that he may assist us to heal and promote world peace. Depicted as a wise, elder dressed in white, Obatala is the embodiment of peace, reason, logic, and diplomacy. He was sent to Earth by Olódùmarè to create land and construct human bodies. Obatala was charged with doing good works and guiding humans to “walk in the light.” Obatalá is calm, wise, understanding, and loves peace and harmony. He is the embodiment of purity and is the light of consciousness.

December 21 is the Winter Solstice. This is a time for introspection, quietude, meditation, fasting and contemplation. People are urged to quiet themselves on that day and focus meditation and visualizations on peace and healing in 2015.

For several years I have implored my brothers and sisters to come together to do the necessary spiritual work to begin healing our communities and stop the violence. We must pray not only for peace and healing, but also justice! If there is no justice there is no peace. Those of us who have the spiritual knowledge to change things for the better must do what needs to be done for the good of our people and the world. I am a strong believer in the power of prayer and I know my prayers were heard. This initiative is evidence that the spirit of Olódùmarè, the Universal Creator, is putting things in their proper place. This is just the beginning!

No matter how you worship the Universal Creator or by what name you call the Mother/Father God it is imperative that all of God’s people stand up to fight against the negative forces in the world that manifest hatred, violence, envy, fear and injustice. Look around you at what’s happening in our homes, our communities, our nation and the world. We are responsible for allowing this sickness to continue and we are responsible for stopping it. Each of us was born with ashe (personal spiritual power) that we can use in a communal effort to clean up the mess that we created.

That’s why I am asking all people of spiritual consciousness to wear white on December 20, go to your churches, mosques and temples to pray for peace, healing and justice in our communities and the planet. If you don’t have a church or religion, gather with your friends on that day to pray for peace. Imagine how powerful that will be --- people all over the world focusing their energy on peace, healing and justice!

“This gives us an opportunity to reach across traditions and borders for a cohesive effort,” said Harris. “All of us doing the same thing at the same time.”

So, on December 20, let’s put aside our differences and come together to lift up our voices in prayer for peace, healing and justice. As Ramos said, “Make a statement on behalf of a cause that will affect us all.” That’s the real reason for this season.