By Caroline Jones, Worship Leader, Seedfield Methodist Church, Bury Circuit
Reading: Matthew 5 :9
‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ (NIV)
Notes:
The Message Translation puts it like this, “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family. “
Reflect on what peace means in God’s kingdom. Peace is a gift of the Holy Spirit and is not simply the absence of conflict. The peace Jesus gives cannot be taken away (John14:27).
We should all aim to live united in God and with each other whilst accepting our differences and reconciling them. We know that all who confess Jesus as Lord and Saviour are our brothers and sisters in Christ, here on earth and in the age to come. We recognise that being a peacemaker is costly (see Matthew 16:24).
Wonder:
That the God of the Old Testament is the God of the New. His message, like His character, is unchanging and totally and utterly relevant throughout all ages.
That Jesus’ words from over 2000 years ago are as relevant today as they were then.
That Christ gave His life to bring us peace with God.
That God, who knows us completely, continually fills us with His Spirit and chooses us to be peacemakers.
Prayer:
Lord God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit we pray that you will give wisdom and a longing for peace to the leaders of the nations of the world and that you will reconcile all people to yourself.
Please use us to bring peace where we can (it may be helpful to look up and pray the words of the prayer of St Francis of Assisi).
Please fill us with your Holy Spirit to live as your peacemakers.
We declare, “Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory. Forever. Amen.”