As I lay in bed yesterday, after praying, writing, and posting my blog, I picked up my night-cross again, wanting to pray for peace throughout the whole world. I asked God to fill every mind, heart and soul with peace, including:
- All those who exercise any kind of power over others’ lives, for example: parents, partners, siblings, classmates, teachers, health staff, civil servants, social workers, priests, managers and supervisors
- All those who hurt, criticise, insult, reject, exclude, dominate, bully, threaten, control, exploit, abuse and attack people weaker than themselves
- All those with political, military, civil, social, economic, religious and criminal power
Then this short, simple prayer emerged very gently into my mind, making me weep:
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14; NIV).
If you can’t be kind,
Be peaceful;
If you can’t be wise,
Seek peace.
If you can’t be fair,
Live peacefully –
Remember:
God is peace.
If you can’t do good,
Be peaceful;
If you can’t give love,
Spread peace.
If you can’t be well,
Wait peacefully –
Remember:
God is peace.
The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; NLT).