31st. March. 2022. Daily Devotion.
Ephesians 2:13-14
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.
We live in an angry, hostile world. Many people live their lives with their blinders on and their earplugs in their ears. Even in our passive state, we are showing some signs of aversion to others, in a nonaggressive manner. We are content to live far off, in our own world, without anyone infringing on our space. We want our opinion heard, but we are more than uninterested in the opinions of others; in fact, we are anywhere from mildly annoyed to highly irate if someone’s stance is not aligned with ours.
We should not be afraid to remove our earplugs and look around and listen to others. We can see others through the forgiving lens of Jesus Christ. Soon we see someone with a different opinion, not as a threat, but as a child, loved by God. We will relax in the forgiveness God has bestowed to us, and in turn will be able to freely transfer that merciful love to others.
Accept His seed of peace. Let it grow in your life, and then plant a seed to help grow a whole crop of peace in this world, though Jesus Christ.
~ J Calvert.
Dearest Father of Peace, Thank you for bringing us your peace, through the sacrifice of Jesus. Amen
Be a bright flame before us, O God, a guiding star above us, a smooth path below us and a loving shepherd behind us, each day and each night, now and for ever. Amen.
~ Columba of Iona (521-597)
Eternal God, “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.”
We pray for a fresh vision of the life of heaven that renews our passion to see your kingdom here on earth.
May we be captivated anew by heaven’s breath-taking beauty: beauty revealed in glorious worship; worship flowing from a great multitude; a multitude united in celebration of rich diversity; diversity that embraces all nations, tribes, people and tongues.*
And so then may our lives re-shape this world. In the name of Christ. Amen.
* – Inspired by Revelation 7:9-12
Lord, we pray for the ability to be gentle; the power to be forgiving;
the patience to be understanding; and the perseverance to accept the consequences of holding on to what we believe to be right.
Father, may we place our trust in the power of goodness to overcome evil
and the power of love to overcome hatred.
Lord, we pray for clear vision to see and the faith to believe in a world free from violence, a new world in which fear shall no longer lead men or women to commit injustice, nor a world where selfishness makes them bring suffering upon others.
Help us to offer our whole life and thought and energy to the task of making peace, praying always for the inspiration and the power to fulfil the destiny for which we and all men and women were created. Amen
