Father God, You make clear in Jesus Christ that Your purposes for me are greater than ever I could imagine and that You hold me in Your care always; give me, I pray, a peace of mind that refuses to worry about things outside of my control, and a peace in my heart that is centred on pleasing You above all things. Lord, may I carry Your peace with me through the day in such a way that others can see that it is in You alone that I live and breath. Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful gift of peace.

Peace in a Christian context can be very different

from the sort of peace that is often portrayed in

paintings, for example. It is easy to think that people

of peace sit still, never get cross, never do anything

violent, and keep out of trouble. That is not the Jesus

way! There were times when Jesus was angry with

others (Mark 3:5) - times when he was violent even

(Mark 11:15) - but always with God’s purpose. Never

was his anger or violence either selfish or vindictive.

Always it was directed against the stubborn evil in people’s hearts and as a challenge to others to see God’s way. Inside too, there were times when Jesus’ emotions were running high; in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:44) we see the huge battle between the pain of loving obedience and the temptation to take sin’s easy way out. But each time it was His absolute assurance that He was doing His Father’s will that gave Him an inner peace. Just look at His calm before Pilate. Read again His words from the cross. No wonder the centurion was astounded (Matthew 27:54). I doubt whether he had ever seen anyone die with such assured peace. And it was through His death that Jesus won the ultimate peace - in defeating sin He restored Peace between us and God that we had broken. So peace is not outer quietness but an inner strength that comes from a closeness with the Lord. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Peace in the world

Lord, it so painful to hear of wars, disasters and conflicts every day, but selfishness and greed seem to be everywhere. It is so easy to stand in judgement on rulers and nations, but I have to confess that I am part of the problem. Help me to discover where I can make a difference, and help me to use my time and my wealth for the benefit of others so that some small part of the world can find the peace You long to give.

Peace in my home

Lord Jesus, You know what home life is all about because you lived it. Give me a steady patience in all things; time to really listen to others before I speak; a life built on holding fast to Your teaching - however hard that may be; a readiness to share my time with my family above my own interests, and a quiet assurance that You are present at all times. May all who visit my home discover something of Your peace in me.

Peace in my heart

We all need pressure to get the best out of life, but too much pressure can lead to stress - and illness often follows. God’s simple remedy is built into trust. As we cast our cares upon Him and follow His leading, we find the truth that His burden is light, giving us true peace of mind.

Lord, thank You for carrying my load. Give me the desire to walk with You always so that I can know the peace that takes away all fear.

Peace with God

It is only through the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross that we can have peace with God. His incredible love for us in giving His life so that we might experience His risen life instead of hell, demands only one thing in return: that we honour Him by our obedience to His word.

Father, to be Your child is a great and wonderful mystery indeed. May I learn all that You have to teach me and so be faithful always.

Being a peacemaker

Jesus said “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). He was saying that it was God’s nature to make peace, and His children would do as their Father did. But it is tough. Being a peacemaker often means rejection by both sides - but the reward is immense. James writes, “Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”

Lord, may I be a peacemaker, just as You were.

Being at Peace with life itself

There is nothing so attractive as a peaceful person when everyone else around is panicking; especially when their peace comes from a calm assurance of God’s word.

Lord, Help me to learn more of You; to trust You more every day; to follow where you lead, and to have a heart of compassion for others, so that my heart and mind may be at one with Yours and I may be filled with Your wonderful peace. Amen.

Give thanks for the many ways God is at work, through:

 

- Aid agencies

- Missionaries

- Healing gifts

- Generosity

- Compassion

Remember today, those who carry around in life:

- hurts

- wrongdoing

- confusion

- wrong ideas

- pain

- apathy

and who do not  

 know God’s love.