Prayer for the PeaceMakers

Autumn parkAfter this time of looking a little more closely at our calling to become peacemakers, I want to make sure we remember a few things…

In the hard things, in the impossible-in-ourselves things… it isn’t about what we can do.  It’s about Christ alive in us ~ the One who makes all things possible… But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

In our calling to be holy, to be like Jesus ~ His commands are not meant to weigh us down, but to bring freedom and life.  In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands.  And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world.  This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:3~4)

This is the wonder-full invitation from Jesus in Matthew 11 (MSG): “Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.  I’ll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me ~ watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

And when we are not like Him in this world, when we stumble… when we fail to ‘keep company’ with Him ~ we do not find condemnation but forgiveness and fresh strength to follow Him! Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

So we keep moving forward, our eyes on Him …but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Phil. 3:13-14 & Hebrews 12:2)

Lord, may we remember that our lives are transformed by Your power and Your love.  May we remember that our can’t-do-it leaves room for You to make it possible and to have the glory for it… make us a testimony to You, living epistles written by Your Spirit.  Help us to give up our will, our life ~ and find Your life (overflowing and abundant) in us.  Please give us the desire to be like You, Jesus, the wisdom to walk in Your words ~ and the courage to love like You do. Amen

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~ Romans 15:13

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