Lord God,
Jesus came to bring peace, yet we live in a world where Satan's character is grandly displayed. Hatred reigns instead of love. Lies overrule truth. Wars tear apart attempts at peace. Racism blocks brotherhood. Division walls out unity. Distrust destroys trust. Crime is more interesting than kindness.
Everywhere we look, Satan smears our world. Marriages fall apart. Parents neglect or abuse their children. Work becomes a means of putting others down in order to get ahead. Many are held captive by chains of addiction. Our nation's leaders fight with each other instead of using their intelligence and creativity to work together. Rancor and hostility reign at a time when we sing about You, the Prince of Peace.
Yet, at the same time, it is not a surprise. Jesus told his disciples that He came to bring a sword, and we see how true that is. Every time a church is destroyed in the middle east and every time a Christian is killed in the name of atheism or some other religion, that truth is obvious. So it doesn't surprise us, but at Christmas, it's doubly sad.
Lord, how we need Your peace. We need Your peace in our homes, schools, workplaces, towns and cities, and politics. Would You eradicate any selfishness that causes us to seek our own good instead of the good You want for others? Would You remove the pride that keeps us from listening to You?
Jesus's birth heralded peace. Your peace can reign in our lives if we surrender to You. We can be Your peacemakers in a world that is divided by conflict. We can be a balm to a hurting world.
Lord, let us be known by Your peace. Let Your peace reign in our hearts. When we go through trials and suffering, let Your peace be what people notice about us. Let it be obvious that we worship the Prince of Peace and that Your character has become part of our nature. When we sing "Silent Night", let it be our prayer that heavenly peace would reign in our lives every day.
The day will come when You will reign in totality. Satan will be cast out, and Your perfect peace will be the norm of our world. We eagerly await that day.
Lord Jesus, come quickly.
Amen.
Jesus came to bring peace, yet we live in a world where Satan's character is grandly displayed. Hatred reigns instead of love. Lies overrule truth. Wars tear apart attempts at peace. Racism blocks brotherhood. Division walls out unity. Distrust destroys trust. Crime is more interesting than kindness.
Yet, at the same time, it is not a surprise. Jesus told his disciples that He came to bring a sword, and we see how true that is. Every time a church is destroyed in the middle east and every time a Christian is killed in the name of atheism or some other religion, that truth is obvious. So it doesn't surprise us, but at Christmas, it's doubly sad.
Lord, how we need Your peace. We need Your peace in our homes, schools, workplaces, towns and cities, and politics. Would You eradicate any selfishness that causes us to seek our own good instead of the good You want for others? Would You remove the pride that keeps us from listening to You?Jesus's birth heralded peace. Your peace can reign in our lives if we surrender to You. We can be Your peacemakers in a world that is divided by conflict. We can be a balm to a hurting world.
Lord, let us be known by Your peace. Let Your peace reign in our hearts. When we go through trials and suffering, let Your peace be what people notice about us. Let it be obvious that we worship the Prince of Peace and that Your character has become part of our nature. When we sing "Silent Night", let it be our prayer that heavenly peace would reign in our lives every day.
The day will come when You will reign in totality. Satan will be cast out, and Your perfect peace will be the norm of our world. We eagerly await that day.
Lord Jesus, come quickly.
Amen.
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