Filled With Peace

FILLED WITH PEACE

a prayer to open

Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

May your Kingdom come, may your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

The LORD is my shepherd;

I have all that I need.

He lets me rest in green meadows;

he leads me beside peaceful streams.

He renews my strength.

He guides me along right paths,

bringing honor to his name.

Even when I walk

through the darkest valley,

I will not be afraid,

for you are close beside me.

Your rod and your staff

protect and comfort me.

You prepare a feast for me

in the presence of my enemies.

You honor me by anointing my head with oil.

My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will live in the house of the LORD

forever.

Peace in a violent, frantic, accelerating world can be hard to find. We wonder what peace even looks like. Although we may worry about big tragedies and fear significant loss, usually it’s our own habits and routines that rob us of peace. We layer task upon task, activity upon activity. And those things may be great fun and exhilarating, but our nonstop pace makes our souls rushed and unsettled. We’re constantly moving, continuously connected. We can hardly be shocked that we have no peace. As we open space, say no to busyness, and rest in Jesus’ love, we will know peace.

• Where in your life do you see the kind of peace that emanates from Psalm 23? In what areas are you struggling to live with this sense of peace?
• What is your life saying about the peace within your soul, whether to those who know you or to those who simply observe you?
• Take a few minutes in prayer, asking God to show you where you need to grow when it comes to embracing the peace he offers. What did he illuminate for you?

Father, I long for deep peace in my heart, mind, and soul. Please open me to the peace and wholeness you offer instead of the frantic, busy exhaustion I often fight against. Help me see the ways my routines and practices contribute to a lack of peace and contentment. Grow my trust in you so I can rest, break the hold that technology can have on me, and continue to open space for me to be transformed and healed by your love. Amen.