This Prince of Peace

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Tuesday, December 29, 2015

This Prince of Peace

The world today is not a peaceful place. Definitely not peaceful.

I live in the Chicago area. There is definitely a lack of peace here, too.

I crave peace. Calm. Gentleness, kindness, love, joy. Lord God, peace seems so out of reach, both corporally as well as individually. Yet, there is good news. Good news of great joy, which was given for all people.

God came to earth at Christmas. It was not only Love that came down at Christmas, but also the Prince of Peace came into this world. God reconciled the fallen, hateful world to Godself, in a vertical direction. One of the compilers of this book of December meditations writes, “Where God comes in love to human beings and unites with them, there peace is made between God and humankind and among people.” [1]

But, wait. That’s not all. God also overcame the enmity one person has with another. One group with another, one country with another. “Come and see how God, out of pure love, has become our brother and wants to reconcile us with each other.” [2]

Now there is the possibility of peace, love, and togetherness, instead of fear, hatred, and isolation. Prince of Peace, You entered into the world to show us love, in the most personal and vulnerable way possible. All that I can say is thank You, Jesus.

@chaplaineliza

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[1] God Is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, trans. O.C. Dean, Jr., compiled and edited, Jana Riess (Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster/John Knox Press, 2010), 74.

[2] Ibid.

Naming God Great High Priest

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Saturday, September 12, 2015

Naming God Great High Priest

I took another little leap today. I used a different kind of Name of God for my word(s) for Centering Prayer today. My Name of God for today is Great High Priest.

Why a leap, you wonder? Because the Name did not quite feel to me like a Name of God. Sure, a High Priest is special. One of a kind. But Aaron and his descendants are people. Human beings. Not God Almighty. That’s why I initially didn’t feel like the Great High Priest was God.

My mind was flitting about, in between times I actually prayed and concentrated on the Name “Great High Priest.” It was a good time of prayer, but a somewhat interrupted time of prayer.

Then, as I prayed, I started to reflect where this Name came from. The letter to the scattered Hebrews uses several rhetorical devices to get its points across, including the repetition of the term “better.” Jesus is “better” than prophets, angels, Moses, Aaron, and the priestly succession. Thus, He’s superior. I guess that makes Him better than the best.

Dear God, thanks for this focused time to concentrate on an idea and a Name of Yours that I usually don’t think of. The image of Jesus as High Priest usually doesn’t even cross my consciousness. And I mean, ever. I appreciate calling You by different Names, and even by Names I don’t often think of. It’s a great experience. Truly.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er