Pray for Peace
In less than a week there will be two historic events in the United States of America. On Monday January 18, the nation will celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King was the most prominent face and voice of the Civil Rights movement, and the champion of non-violent direct action. His legacy is one of progress and peace.
Two days later on Wednesday, January 20, Joe Biden will be inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States. The Inauguration is typically a national celebration with people coming from around the world to participate. This year’s Inauguration, however, will be different. The coronavirus pandemic and the January 6 violent attack on the Capitol have supersized the need for safety and security. While the Inauguration is usually a time of increased commercial activity and festivities, this year the nation’s capital is like a military fortress. Instead of looking forward to Inaugural Balls and partying, we are simply praying for a peaceful Inauguration.
Psalm 122:6-7 offers us wisdom that is helpful for our current situation: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure.7 May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” While law enforcement is doing their best to secure the capital and the country during the Biden Inauguration, the rest of us can participate in this process by praying for the peace of the United States of America.
Peace is the pathway to progress. All of us—regardless of political persuasion—will be better off in a nation that is peaceful. But peace in a nation begins with peace within a person, for the nation is an aggregate of all of its residents. We need peace in our hearts, our homes, our schools, our communities, and throughout the length and breadth of the nation. Everybody benefits from a peaceful coexistence.
Peace is an important form of freedom: freedom from interference and disturbance. Peace is a state of calm, quietude, and tranquility. Peace is not agreement on everything, every time; for that is difficult to achieve. Again, we can find wisdom from the Word of God: 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (Jeremiah 29:7). You do not have to agree with every rationale, rule, policy, practice, outlook, or outcome. But we must all agree to work for peace and maintain the peace.
Today, I invite you to participate in a Pray-for-Peace campaign. Pray for peace in America, Africa, the Middle East, and around the world. Peace allows us to enjoy political stability. Political stability provides opportunity for economic prosperity. Economic prosperity, in the case of America, enables military superiority.
May God grant you His peace—today, tomorrow, and every day. And may you be at peace with yourself, your family, your neighbors, and with everyone else.
Wisdom for Your Week
Express yourself without being violently expressive.
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