Day Forty One - Finding peace through prayer

We are well and truly into the season of advent, this wonderful period leading to Christmas Day and the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It should be a special time, a sacred time, a simple time, but how are we feeling today?

Did we spend the whole of November worrying and getting stressed because we couldn’t get out and do the things we thought we ought to be doing? Are we now so busy trying to catch up just so we are ready for the 25th? Are we feeling worried about things in the country or in our lives that we have little or no control over? Do we crave some kind of calm and peace?

If that is so let us take a few minutes to think of two of the central figures in the first Christmas.

First, Mary.

The angel Gabriel appeared to her with the news that her life was about to be turned upside down – irrevocably – and yet her response was, I am the Lord’s servant … may it be to me as you have said. (Luke 1:38)

Then, Joseph

An ordinary, honest man, but after finding out that Mary was pregnant must have been greatly troubled. He was considering divorcing her quietly so as not to publicly disgrace her. He then had a message from God in a dream saying, Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins. (Matthew1:20-21)

Wow! Somehow these two people found a way to let go of fear. And doubt. And control. They both surrendered themselves, their plans, their future, their hopes and dreams to God. No ifs and no buts.

Though a lot has changed since those days, that is still the way to Christmas Peace. We must let go of our fear, our worries, our doubts and control.

How can we do this? The only way I know is through prayer, we must talk to God.

In these quite different and uncertain times we can find true peace, we must - like Mary and Joseph - let go of the things in our life that we cannot control. We must talk to God of our worries, our fears and doubts, the stresses and strains of our lives and let them go. Our loving heavenly Father will take care of all our needs and will give us a true peace this Christmas time.

A Christmas Prayer for Peace

In a world where worry, doubts and fears, not peace, prevails, stir up that good news again. This Christmas make it real in our hearts. Never have we needed your joy and peace more than now. Thank you for the gift of Jesus, our Immanuel, the Word made flesh. Forgive us for forgetting that your love never changes, and that you have a plan for us all, help us to be like Mary and Joseph who trusted their whole lives to you. Help us to remember that you never abandoned the purpose for which you came, to save us from sin and to give us eternal life, the joy and peace of a relationship with You. Your birth and your death sealed your promise to us forever. Amen.

Julie Burnett