President Bush and Donald Rumsfeld pushed for war with Iraq immediately after 9/11. One and a half years later, they fulfilled their wish by launching "Operation Iraqi Freedom," and the bloodshed continued ever since.

Just as 9/11 served as a starting pistol for the race to war in Iraq, the sixth anniversary of that abominable day should mark the start of a decisive leg of the long march to peace. Regardless of whether the surge ends, President Bush will prolong this war for as long as we let him.

Religious groups continue to sound a prophetic call for peace. An Interfaith fast, organized by numerous Muslim, Jewish and Christian groups, will occur on October 8, and you can register to organize a fast in your community, or find one near you, at the Interfaith Fast web site.

Christian Peace Witness, which held an inspiring religious service and march for peace on the war's fourth anniversary, is organizing peace vigils across the country, which will continue occur continually between now and the fourth anniversary of the Iraq war in April. You can register to lead a vigil in your community at their web site.

If peace were easy, we would have it by now. Ending the war will continue to take tremendous effort on numerous fronts, and the movement's spiritual health will be necessary for its ultimate success. Interfaith Fast and Christian Peace Witness can provide this nourishment. Please take part.