...for peace

At the Rite of Peace, we turn first to words of Jesus :

Lord Jesus Christ, You said to Your apostles,
"I leave you peace, My peace I give you..."
Look not on our sins, but on the faith of Your Church
and grant us the peace and unity of Your Kingdom
where You live and reign for ever and ever."

There can be few things that the world needs more than peace.

We see war - and the effects of war everywhere.
Those involved in war carry the physical and emotional scars long after the ink has dried on the peace treaties.

But peace is not simply about an absence of war and conflict.

As the prayer suggests, it is about a peace and unity that reflect the life of the eternal Kingdom.
It is the peace promised in Isaiah's vision of the wolf lying with the lamb - the calf and lion cub feeding together (Is.11:1-10) - of a time when all creation will live in a new harmony.

This peace may be shown on the outside by creatures and human beings living in harmony - but it has its roots deep within. Where there is peace within - then the outward signs of calm and harmony flow out naturally.

The question is - how to get the peace in the first place?

Well, we can - and should - pray for it.
We can pray for places where there is conflict - focusing the love and peace of God on situations of violence.

We can pray for peace in our own minds and hearts. Many people live in a state of turmoil - busy and hard-pressed with unresolved memories clouding their view of life.

Many people cannot believe that peace is possible: How can anything change the world?

The answer for us lies on the promise: I leave you peace - My peace I leave you...This isn’t a peace that runs away from the pain of the world but which walks into the worst that it can offer - and redeems it...

Drinking from the Wellspring

	Watch - or listen to the news. Set aside time to pray for people caught up in conflict and violence. Pray for those who cause the violence - for their repentance...
	Reflect on your own life - where are the conflicts and the pains there? Invite God to bring about the changes you need in order to find peace.

Waiting in Joyful Hope for...

...a new age

peace Advent candle

...unity

..the Coming of our Saviour Advent candle

Waiting in Joyful Hope

© 2004 Wellspring