Saturday, December 16, 2023
Lord, on this last day of our focus on peace, guide our hearts to always seek your peace. Instill in us a commitment to global harmony. Inspire leaders worldwide to earnestly pursue peace, fostering understanding and unity, especially in conflicted regions. May we actively work towards a world where your peace reigns. Amen.
Friday, December 15, 2023
Eternal God, source of true peace, as we draw near the end of this week devoted to peace, grant us the insight to actively pursue global harmony. Inspire world leaders to work earnestly for peace, especially in regions marred by conflict, such as the Middle East. In moments of tension, let your transcendent peace be our steadfast anchor. Guide us to engage purposefully, seeking reconciliation where there is discord and extending compassion to those affected by strife. Amen.
Thursday, December 14, 2023:
Prince of Peace, in the stillness of this day, let the peace candle’s flame be a symbol of hope and healing. As we reflect on the peace proclaimed by the angels on that holy night, infuse our hearts with a renewed commitment to fostering peace in our relationships, communities, and world. Amen.
12.13.23
Building a Just Peace This Advent
Dear Church,
This past Sunday, our focus was on peace. We delved into the powerful message from Isaiah: “Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God” (Isaiah 40:3). This call to action isn’t just a utopian dream; it’s a prophecy urging us to actively participate in creating a world where peace and justice prevail.
Isaiah envisions a society where inequalities are dismantled, barriers removed, and everyone is valued. This isn’t wishful thinking; it’s a guiding light propelling us toward a just and peaceful world. The call to action echoes across the centuries, urging us to build a highway for God, not waiting for others but taking responsibility for ourselves.
Preparing the way means making room for God, cleansing our lives of negativity, and allowing God to bring a just peace. This call resonates with the challenges we face today—wars, suffering, inequality. Isaiah’s promise is a bountiful feast, rectifying all wrongs and providing healing.
Building peace starts within each of us, requiring self-reflection, forgiveness, and choosing compassion. Beyond individual action, it calls for collaboration—speaking out against injustice, supporting peace organizations, and holding leaders accountable.
Isaiah reminds us that peace begins within, offering personal, comforting peace. This Advent, may we commit to building a just peace, being messengers of hope and agents of peace. Even the smallest act of kindness can create a ripple effect, bringing us closer to Isaiah’s envisioned world and God’s kingdom.
Pastor Sela
Wednesday, December 13, 2023:
Divine Presence, as we continue in this season of Advent, may the flickering light of the peace candle remind us of the enduring tranquility found in your presence. Guide us in moments of silence, allowing us to internalize the peace that surpasses understanding. Grant us the courage to be peacemakers, seeking harmony and justice in the world. Amen.
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
God, as we pursue peace, guide us to extend the transformative power of forgiveness and reconciliation. May our actions reflect the peace that Christ ushered in with His birth and the lasting peace He promises in His return. Strengthen us to actively engage in the work of peace, being instruments of unity and understanding in our communities. Amen.
Monday, December 11, 2023:
Prince of Peace, let the lingering warmth of the peace candle illuminate our spirits. Grant us moments of contemplation, reflecting on the peace you bring, as we remember your first advent and eagerly await your triumphant return. May this inner peace propel us into the world, inspiring acts of forgiveness and fostering reconciliation. Amen.
Week Two: Peace
Sunday, December 10, 2023:
God of Peace, as we light the second Advent candle, the peace candle, in a world filled with chaos and troubled souls, grant us the serenity that comes from knowing you are in control. Help us to be instruments of peace, sharing the dual peace found in Christ’s birth and His promised return. Amen.
Saturday, December 9, 2023
God of Hope, as we conclude this first week of Advent, we thank you for the light it has brought into our hearts. May the hope we’ve embraced continue to guide us through the remaining weeks and fill our lives with anticipation. In the name of Christ, our source of hope, we pray. Amen.
Friday, December 8, 2023:
God, as we wait for your coming, grant us the grace to live in hope, trusting not only in your historical promises but also in the future fulfillment of your redemptive plan. May our lives testify to the hope we find in you. Amen.
a journey in existence 