Practicing Peace in Impossible Situations

 

Peace, peace to you,

and peace to your helpers!

For your God helps you.

        1 Chronicles 12. 18

(Peace does not hinge

on an absence of conflict,

but another way through it,

a sense of well-being

that pervades even in

   the midst of trouble.

And that comes from

recognizing God's help,

  strength and Presence.

Have we prayed over

     this situation first

to seek His way in this?)

O LORD,

There are so many forces

   around us that try

   to keep us from You.

No matter the trouble,

please use this situation

   to form something new

and fresh and different

                  in us.

Help us to practice

         the art of peace

  in impossible situations.

Build Your strength

    layer upon layer

that we would already know

how to bring Your name here.

You are our peace.

   On You we can depend.

And You have made us

  peace-makers

  for Your glory,

even in --or especially in--

   the midst of hardship.

Show us Your different way

    right through this day.