Father, today there are many parts of our personal worlds that are far from peaceful.  We are experiencing conflicts within ourselves, with other people and with powers and authorities.  We often aren’t sure that we have the strength to keep fighting and praying for the stability, contentment and freedom we need for ourselves and those we love.  We need the Christmas promise of peace.  Help peace be re-born as our hearts turn to you and look toward the great gift of your son Jesus who was born into our world as the Prince of Peace.

We claim the promise of Christ’s peace-giving power made by the prophet Micah during a time of instability and war: “He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.  And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.  And he will be their peace.”  (Micah 5:4,5)  Come Lord Jesus and be our peace.  Still our hearts.  Gives us times and places of mental and physical sanctuary and rest.

Help us to know the “Peace that Passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) which comes through prayer and believing that you are with us every moment, no matter what.  Help us rest peacefully in your arms like a lamb being carried by you, the Good Shepherd as it says in Isaiah, “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart;”  (Isaiah 40:11)  And as we experience your amazing peace, help us to pass it on to those who need it the most this Christmas season.  Amen.