Instrument of Peace
Matthew 5:1-12
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
This anonymous prayer called the Prayer of Saint Francis or Peace Prayer seems especially appropriate during times of crisis. Peace is desperately needed amidst deep political and cultural divisions. Jesus said: “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.” (Mat. 5:9)
The church can and should play an important role in healing conflict, but churches face their own divisions and difficulties. Jesus calls us to be peace makers during times of crisis. In fact, our ability to work for and encourage peace could be the most important witness we present to the world. So how do we do that? The Peace Prayer continues:
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
How do we work for peace? We learn to move from selfish to selfless. We move away from constantly seeking consolation, trying to be understood, maneuvering to be loved and move toward consoling others, understanding others, and loving others. When we learn to give, we receive far more. When we learn to forgive, we truly feel forgiven.
As the church: We present a testimony of “Godly Peace” within our community and world as we also provide a safe sanctuary of encouragement allowing differences of opinion to be worked out peacefully. We model “Godly Peace” to the outside world.
I read of a pastor who whenever eating in a restaurant, said to the server: “When you bring the food, we’re going to have a prayer. If there is anything, you’d like us to pray for, let me know.” Almost always, the server asked for prayers for a child, a friend, or a parent. Most were touched by the offer. Often servers would speak with him as he was leaving and ask, “How did you know I needed prayer?”
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.”
Prayer Challenge: Lord, teach me to be an instrument of your peace.
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