And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
God,
I used to think of this verse as a kind of chill out and relax scripture. When we can take time out and be at peace and still. So the peace of God can come and calm and sooth and all is well again with the world. But as I grow in faith I realise life is just not like that Lord, not often anyway. This is a verse for when calm and quiet is being stressed out of us, worried out of us or pressurised out!
Dentist necessity. Fear of what might happen and fear of what I know probably will. I can do all things through Christ the Bible tells me – well sometimes I know the verse but not the courage! Then this verse became a battle cry within myself. I will let the peace of God rule me amidst the ruckus (disturbance). There are thousands of believers who have proved this in worse circumstances than I find myself in.
But unless I allow the Your peace, Lord God, to rule my heart I will not be able to know it! The battle is Yours. Mine is to submit to You. Sometimes the war is with principalities and powers and sometimes my own flesh! (Ephesians 6:12).
Help me to allow Your peace to rule in my heart. Help me when I am overwhelmed by irrational fear of the known and the unknown. And when we need human support, send a friend!
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . .
God of eternity,
For our family and friends. Their hopes and needs for today and keep speaking to their hearts. Calm their fears.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, members. Carry them as they care for others.
For the royal family. Take away fear and carry them through this time, to full health.
For our Parliament, Local elections. May the outcomes be the best for the nation.
For the new Police Commissioners to have Your wisdom as they take over.
For Ukraine, we plead for peace. An end to war. May it be Your will.
For Gaza, a good future and talking towards a peaceful way forward.
For Sudan, Myanmar, all places of conflict and Military oppression. Hope for a future.
For countries where Christians are persecuted. Convert the persecutors as You did Saul to Paul.
For aid agencies and medical help in the midst of many countries turmoil. and danger.
For today, a peace that can rule over our earthly understanding of worry and fear and rule.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 3rd May 2024
A simple chorus I love . . .
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All his wonderful passion and purity,
O thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine,
Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.
Something more familiar . . .
Lyrics: Horatio Gates Spafford.