This week I have been thinking about peace … or the seeming lack of it as I look around.  Images of war and death are punctuated by those of election rhetoric which seems to be more about belittling your opponent than sharing your own party policies.

Yet Jesus promised: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give as the world gives! Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. (John 14:27)  This peace is that which holds us, even amidst all that is going on and in spite of it.

I invite you to share in the following prayer for peace …

O, God of peace, we pray for peace.

Peace to
    the cantankerous,
    the contemptuous,
    the combative;
    the kith and kin at war.

Peace to
    the worried,
    the wary,
    the weary;
    the wanderers looking for home.

Peace to
    the bitter,
   the bruised,
    the battered;
    the broken-hearted, grieving loss.

Peace to
    the sad,
    the saints,
    the sinners,
    the somewhere-in-betweens.

Peace to us all, we pray, O God of peace.

Amen.                                            

Blessings – Heather.