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Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of GodMatt. 5:9

Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousnessJames 3:18 

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyoneRom. 12:18

Lord Jesus, irrespective of our gardening skills, there’s at least one kind of gardening for which there’s no possibility of crop failure. When we sow in peace and seek to live out stories of your reconciling love, you guarantee a harvest of ample, delicious, life-giving fruit. It may take longer and cost more than we wish, but we’re never foolish to long for and to work for peace.

We certainly wish certain relationships weren’t so dicey, messy, and complicated. We miss the innocence of Eden and long for the perfections of life in the new earth. Thank you that we don’t have to pretend with you. Thank you that we can bring our exhaustion and frustrations, and reaffirm our hope and trust in you.

Indeed, Jesus, you are our peace and the ultimate Peacemaker. Help us be more alive to the relationship we do have with you than saddened/angered by the relationship we don’t have with others. While we were God’s enemies, you died for us—destroying the hostility, and replacing the enmity with your great affection and perfect peace. You reconciled us to our Father, through the cost of your life and the currency of your love. There’s no greater expression of love than the gospel. Never let us forget, or doubt, the reconciling power of the gospel, never.

Give us your patience when peacemaking requires more emotional currency than we have, and demands more forgiveness than we want to offer. Give us courage when you send us to people and situations we want to avoid like a highly contagious disease.

Give us more of your mercy and compassion, Jesus, for you’ve called us to love people as you love us… when it’s easy and when it’s very hard, when it’s a piece of cake and when we’d rather call down fire. So very Amen we pray, in your triumphant and tender name.

 

 

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