Pray for Peace
“The peace of God, it is no peace, but strife closed in the sod. Yet, let us pray but for just one thing, the marvelous peace of God.”
Hymnal #661 (They cast their nets in Galilee)
At the conclusion of Holy Communion, unless there is a seasonal blessing, we hear these words: “The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always, Amen.”
How do we keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord? I would say, through regular worship and daily prayer. If you pray daily, keep it up! If you are not in the habit of doing so, I urge you to begin. There is nothing more important than prayer.
I want to share with you a prayer that came to me as I prayed the other day. I was overwhelmed with the need for peace. In my own prayers, a prayer by Bishop Stephen Charleston (retired Bishop of Alaska), came to mind and spoke to my heart.
“Peace to you today. Peace in your life, in your heart and in your mind. Peace in all your relationships. Peace with your family and with your friends. Peace where you live, where you work, where you worship. Peace in your faith, your hopes and dreams. Peace like a path into the future. Peace in your time of resting and in your time of waiting. Peace between you and the earth. Peace between you and Heaven. Peace in your vision, the vision of your past and the vision of what is to come. Peace in what you plan, what you need, what you expect. Peace at all times and in all ways. I pray for you a true blessing of peace; not just in words, ‘peace be with you,’ but an infusion of peace. An embrace of peace. Peace you can feel like a breeze passing over you. Peace to you today.”
So today, let us pray for all that makes for peace.
