A LAMENT FROM THE PEOPLE…
Oh, King of Peace,
Prince of Peace!
Oh, this world needs You.
Peace isn’t something that we’ve got too much of, that’s for sure.
If we’re looking at the big picture of the world
or the little picture of our own lives-
to have peace characterize our lives and our relationships sounds like a dream.
And that it would take a miracle.
We know it’s not supposed to depend on our circumstances –
and we really do know that Your peace transcends circumstances.
Sometimes – it sounds crazy but it’s true – but that’s when Your peace really shines through –
in hospital rooms and gravesides and scary places.
It’s Your peace that almost physically carries us through and protects us in those dark times. When we’re able to see things from a totally different vantage point and we can honestly say “It is well with our soul”, despite the pain.
That’s You and Your gift of peace. Thank you.
Sometimes it’s easier to see in other people –
Your peace just pooling around them in the midst of pain or despair,
and when we look at them,
it’s Your peace that catches us,
not the miserable spot they’re in.
Like the camp in Ecuador – and the pool of peace it is there for all the kids.
It’s beautiful and we know it’s You.
On the other hand, sometimes circumstances get the best of us –
and instead of peace, we’re gritting our teeth and hanging onto the steering wheels of our lives, muttering “Serenity. Serenity. Serenity now!”
But to no avail!
Pure determination only gets us so far.
Peace isn’t something we manufacture on our own –
it is a gift from You.
So this week, God, we’re putting determination and hard work aside, and instead, we are opening ourselves to You and Your peace.
We ask that Your peace would infiltrate all the broken, anxious, unsure spots in our lives. Those questions that we have and the things that we’d like for sure, that aren’t for sure – and we ask that Your peace would flow through and ground us, despite the circumstances.
For the Rolling Horse guys who are heading to Haiti this week – that Your peace would protect them and they would declare You as the King of Peace.
And so, with hearts wide open
and the knowledge of who You are
and the confidence that You keep Your promises-
we pray
O, come, Prince of Peace, come.
Amen.
A RESPONSE FROM THE KING OF PEACE:
My children, my precious children,
Be still and know that I am God.
Clear some time and just spend it with Me.
Read my Word.
Talk to Me.
Enjoy My presence.
Let My peace rule in your hearts.
Turn your worries into prayers
and let Me give you peace.
My peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds.
There will be trouble in this world
and lots of things that you will not understand or be able to figure out.
Don’t let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Let My peace guard your hearts and minds.
As you light the candle of peace, this morning, remember:
Be still and know that I am God.
I am with you and I will never leave you.
My peace, I give to you.
Immanuel
