“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matt. 5:9
“Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:18
“As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Rom.12:18
Lord Jesus, irrespective of our horticultural skills, there’s one kind of gardening for which there’s no possibility of crop failure. When we sow in peace and seek to live as agents of your reconciling love, you guarantee a harvest of righteousness.
When we choose to be a peacemaker, relationship restoration isn’t guaranteed. But what is 100% guaranteed is you being honored, the Gospel being demonstrated, and us getting a freer. Help us, Lord, for some of us already feel a bit uneasy and anxious as this prayer unfolds.
Jesus, keep replenishing our hearts with your mercy and grace. For peacemaking often requires more emotional energy than we have, and demands more heart openness than we want to offer. Give us courage when obedience to you means we need to move towards situations and people we’d rather avoid—like forever.
You have called us to love others as you love us, Jesus; and, as far as it depends on us, to live at peace with everyone. Sometimes that’s easy, and sometimes mildly challenging—just requiring swallowing a little pride and taking the first step.
But sometimes it’s complicated by personalities + time + remembering things differently. And, when we’re honest, Jesus, sometimes it means we have to deal with that part of us that would rather call down fire than grace (Luke 9:54-55). Grant us wisdom from above and humility greater than our hurt. You aren’t asking us to pretend, but you are asking us to trust you. So Very Amen.
