Prayer To Find Peace Today

 PEACE

Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.  Colossians 3:15

What's ruling the day in our hearts?  Are we angry?  Are we anxious?  Are we confused?  Are we feeling overwhelmed?  We are encouraged by God's word today to let peace - the peace that comes from Christ rule in our hearts.

Around the world drug companies are doing their research as quickly as they can to get a safe vaccine to market and governments have done what they can to fund this and make the path toward authorizing a vaccine as accessible as possible.  Many folks, if we asked them today, I'm sure would say that things will settle down once the threat of COVID-19 is reduced or removed.  In essence, they are saying that's when peace will return. 

That's not what this verse says and not what we actually find in reality.

Even a casual reading of history reminds us that when World War 1 finished it was to be the war that ends all wars and yet within 30 years the whole world was involved in the Second World War and an estimated total of 70–85 million people perished, or about 3% of the 1940 world population.  Incredible.

Jesus told us that He would give us the gift of peace - peace of mind and heart and it would be a peace that was above anything that event of the world could give us.  Remember how He said:

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.  John 14:27

Today we want to pray to receive this gift and express this gift in our day.  Let's pray

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of peace that Jesus is speaking about here.  We need peace in our time.  We need it personally today as we face challenges around us in our families and across our communities and country.  You have assured us that You can give us peace so we don't need to be troubled or afraid and so we come in faith to You asking for that gift of peace today.

Since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.  Romans 5:1

We want to begin at the beginning and thank You for the peace Jesus won for us on the cross when He died for our sins and put us right with You.  We no longer need to have guilt or shame or anxiety about how we've failed and fallen short.  We don't need to live in fear of what will happen to us - the worst that can ever happen is that we end up in heaven because our earthly life was cut short.  It's a "win-win" situation when we  invite You, Lord Jesus, to live in us, forgiving our sins and making a right relationship with God for us.  Thank You for this amazing gift of peace with God.

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

And there's no doubt that life on earth won't be perfect.  There will be troubles but Your promise is that as we walk with You each day, empowered by the Holy Spirit who now lives in us, that we will overcome whatever difficulties we have to face.  We'd rather not have any difficulties but just knowing that we will prevail gives us courage, hope, and peace.  Help us to keep this long view today and let the peace of Your presence, Your working all things for good, and Your ultimate triumph over it all fill us with settledness of mind and peace of heart.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23

Along with peace you give us so much more.  It's a rich treasure when peace in our lives is accompanied by love and joy, patience and kindness, goodness and faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  We don't always live with those characteristics evident in our day but more and more You are showing us Your way that let's these things shine.  Help us again today, Holy Spirit, to hear Your guidance and trust Your power as You lead us through these uncertain times.

And Lord I never get tired of hearing these words, whether spoken by a pastor or priest or even sung in a song.  We receive your blessing of peace once again today and let it settle in our hearts to strengthen us for what’s ahead:

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.  Numbers 6:24-26