If you follow any news channel or newspaper you will not have failed to learn of the news of an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the death of a supporter and critical injury of two others. President Biden has reflected and responded to the clamour of voices for him to step aside for a younger Democratic representative at the forthcoming Presidential elections.
Surely it is now more than ever that we are called to bear this fruit of the Spirit – peace.
In Philippians 4:6-7 Paul writes, “do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, that transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Imagine not being anxious about anything! Impossible you say, we all worry about a whole variety of things. But presenting those anxieties to God makes a huge difference – it gives us a sense of peace. That peace, God’s peace is different from world peace. It’s not some psychological feeling of positive thinking or feeling good.
It is the knowledge that God is ultimately in control. Of course, we should and do pray for world peace, we worry about places and people in the world who are suffering.
However, knowing God’s peace helps to guard against anxiety and worry becoming a barrier to us working together for that world peace.
Prayer: Sovereign Lord, grant us your peace, and may we in turn bear your fruit of peace in the world, speaking up against injustice and anger, and working for justice and love. AMEN