Finding Peace
Cheryl Saur of Saint Charles, MO, USA
Collectively and individually, you are loved with an everlasting love that delights in each faithful step taken. God yearns to draw you close so that wounds may be healed, emptiness filled, and hope strengthened. Do not turn away in pride, fear, or guilt from the One who seeks only the best for you and your loved ones. Come before your Eternal Creator with open minds and hearts and discover the blessings of the gospel anew. Be vulnerable to divine grace. -Doctrine and Covenants 163:10
One of our beloved hymns is “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” The first verse says, “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me; let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God our creator, we are family. Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony” (Sy Miller and Jill Jackson, \xc2\xa91983 Jan-Lee Music, CCS 307).
Today I had to search for our peace flag. It had been torn from our garden flagpole during last night’s storm. I located it down the road lying crumpled in the gutter. It was covered with leaves and thoroughly caked with mud. After brushing the leaves away, I picked it up and carried it back home where I put it in the kitchen sink filled with soapy water to try to wash it clean.
Peace is like that sometimes. It gets lost in the whirlwind of activities, challenges, and the storms of life. Cultivating peace and creating sacred space does take work. But this is work we can do if we are willing to try. We must pick ourselves up, brush off the dust and leaves that cling to us, and be cleansed in the living waters of Christ’s love. We must walk with each other as family to bring hope and peace to the lost and most vulnerable. We can live our lives with gratitude and savor the peace and healing that God creates in this space.
O God of hope, love, and peace. You are the warm center of all that is. May we be your voice of hope and peace even when peace appears to be lost, crumpled, or stained with mud. At this time, we pray that our vision be broadened, and our hearts deepened so that we will notice where you are already creating sacred space…space for a peace that is meant to be. Accept our humble offering, O Creator God, of all the muddy spaces in our lives. May these be the places where your seeds of hope, love, and peace come into full bloom. Help us to celebrate your grace…and live again! Amen.
Prayer Phrase
Let your world of beauty capture me.
Spiritual Practice
Growing a Gracious, Generous Heart
Open your heart to God’s grace and generosity with a “breath prayer.” Let your breathing slow and deepen. Be aware of God’s breath moving in and out of your heart. Spend several minutes focusing on breathing in God’s generosity. With each breath, silently name one gift for which you are thankful. Let your heart expand to contain God’s gracious outpouring of love. With each breath out, name one gift you want to share from the overflow of your heart.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
