Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
My brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:1-9
Normally, for most days anyway, I stick to the Gospel reading for my writing here. Today, looking over all of the propers, Philippians jumped out to me. "Let your gentleness be known to everyone!" I have watched the news in horror, over the past few days, watching innocents be taken hostage, their homes bombed, and the Middle East plunged back into war. Loving one another with gentleness and kindness is the way of the God of peace. Violence is relegated to human ways, our selfish and destructive ways. There is little we can do from a distance today, but we can pray for the peace of Jerusalem, love our neighbors, Jewish, Christian, Muslim and all the others, and we can draw near to the God of Peace. Our Creator aches for us to be woven together, not torn asunder.
Loving God, you blessed every tribe and family
our kinship teaches us responsibility and care
you made us in your image, brave, loving and strong
and taught us the tools to live lives of gratitude.
Dear Lord, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, now and always.
We watch helpless as war breaks out in your home
the streets you walked, the waters you sailed
are bombarded and destroyed, hate has broken out
taking everyone hostage, everyone lives in fear.
Dear Lord, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, now and always.
You weep for the people who have known peace
you cry for the bereaved, those paralyzed with fear
you long for all your children to live as a family
and you stir our hearts again with new compassion.
Dear Lord, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, now and always.
Help us to get on our knees and pray for your peace
not a ceasing of hostilities but new life breaking forth.
Dear Lord, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, now and always.
Make us your instruments of forgiveness here
help us to spread your love to everyone we meet.
Dear Lord, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, now and always.
For you are the God and Creator of our ancestors
and you have promised to be at home with us all.
Dear Lord, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, now and always. Amen.
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