‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5 : 9 - 10
Readings this week Jonah 3 : 1 – 5, 10; Hebrews 9 : 24 - end; Mark 1 : 14 - 20
Thought for this week
Peace is precious. Something we hope for in our lives. Freedom to live as we want to each day. Freedom to choose. The peace that comes from being independent. Looked after. Loved. Left to be who we are.
Yet so many do not have this peace. The Anglican Collects speak of the church being able to flourish in peace. For us as believers being able to worship in peace and grow in Christ in freedom.
Yet war brings so much disruption and suffering. War brings out the best and worst of ourselves. I cannot imagine what it is like to be desperately hungry, or desperately afraid each day, or devastated by grief on a multiple scale. Similarly war brings communities together, brings hope through love and sacrifice.
This Remembrance Sunday we have so much suffering in the news this year. Yet we are so far removed from it in many ways. Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers”. If we can make peace with our neighbours, our friends, within our families, we are going a long way to make this a better world.
What peace can we make so that others can thrive? What peace can we bring into our lives and the world?
Rev Paul
Prayer for this week
Almighty Father, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of all: govern the hearts and minds of those in authority, and bring the families of the nations, divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin, to be subject to his just and gentle rule; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
God, our refuge and strength, bring near the day when wars shall cease and poverty and pain shall end, that earth may know the peace of heaven through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
People to pray for
Those in the armed forces throughout the world
Those caught in war situations today
For those working for peace
For young people – that their voices may be heard