Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15
Gracious Jesus, every day somebody or some entity is going to claim “dibs” on our heart’s allegiance and affection. Our hearts will be swayed and ruled; that’s an indisputable fact. Something will be our functional “boss” today. Our creed may say it’s you, but everything else might suggest otherwise.
It could be bitterness, pettiness or cowardice. It could be the shaming power of darkness. It could be overbearing or aggravating people. It could be our greed to have a little more money or our obsession to have a lot less heartache. It could religion or hatred of religion. It could old regrets or new fantasies. It could be the titillation of a new romance or the approval of a dead parent.
Therefore, Jesus, in obedience to this great Scripture, we choose your peace as the ruler of our hearts; as our centering power for this one day; as our sovereign, king, and boss. With palms up, we surrender gladly.
No one is better equipped to put a dominion of peace in place than you, for you are the Prince of Peace. On the cross you secured God’s peace with us and our peace with God. The enmity and hostility between us have been obliterated—smashed to smithereens. Peace with God is now a legal right of ours, a done deal, a settled issue. Now we enjoy acceptance and affection. How can we not overflow with gratitude and humility?
Indeed, Jesus, please make this legal right a personal delight—a transforming power mightily at work in our hearts today, and in all of our relationships. You’re writing a much better story than simply a tale of calming our restless hearts. Yours is a story of healing and reconciling love. You humble stubborn people. You soften hard people. You gentle angry people. You turn enemies into friends and strangers into family.
Because you’ve forgiven us, we’ll choose to forgive others today. Because you’ve forgiven us, we’ll choose to ask forgiveness from others. Because you’ve at peace with us, we’ll do everything in our power to make and live at peace with others. And where peace is not possible yet, we’ll rest in your love and wait on your timing. We make our prayer, in your praise-worthy and persistent name.
