100 days of Prayer
Day 85
And the
peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians
4:7 (NIV)
PEACE PERSPECTIVE
In scripture peace is less an emotion, than
it is a perspective - a state of mind proclaiming any trauma in life is subject
to the triumphant victory of Jesus Christ, who works all things together for
the good of those who love him. Jesus’ death and resurrection means we no
longer fight for victory, but live from the victory he has won for us, offering
up a perspective of peace.
Corrie
Ten Boom, the Dutch activist who aided many Jews in fleeing Nazi Concentration
Camps in World War II, allowed her perspective of peace to influence her
experience when she stood face-to-face with a former Nazi SS guard from
Ravensbruck.
Ten Boom, who lost her sister Betsie in the
very same camp, recalls the moment the officer held out a hand requesting
forgiveness, saying, ‘Jesus, help me! I can lift my hand. I can do that much.
You supply the feeling.’ And she went on, ‘I forgive you, brother, with all my
heart!’ In one moment of radical grace, Ten Boom allowed her trauma to be
subject to the triumph of Jesus, and it became a moment where the love of God
overflowed in the most profound and beautiful way. Will you allow your
grievances to be set aside to pick up the perspective of peace Jesus offers to
you today?
PRAYER
Father
God, would you give us the courage today to set aside our emotions and allow
any trauma we have experienced become subject to your triumph and flood our
perspective with your peace, that it may
overflow into the lives of all around us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
ACTION
Corrie
Ten Boom’s example is a clear indicator that peace-making is not an emotional
act, but a willing choice. Today, write an email, a text message or even a
letter to someone you need to make peace with. Maybe you could even include a
gift. After all, love gives.
[Ben
Hampshire is a freelance journalist who works with Sports Chaplaincy UK.]
Please pray and share with
your intercessors, Bible Study Groups, Prayer Groups, Church Prayers, Men &
Women’s Groups. Thank you.
Las & Arlene Ratnayake
No comments:
Post a Comment