PEACE: No Chaos, No Confusion

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Sunday, August 14, 2016

PEACE: No Chaos, No Confusion

Presenting another in the series of definitions of PEACE.

I was in the Englewood neighborhood some days ago, serving dinner on the south side of Chicago. A mothers’ group called Mothers Against Senseless Killing (MASK) offers a free meal outreach called Give Them a Meal.

The dinner outreach was packing up, and a local church was getting ready to set up on the same corner. Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church has an outdoor worship service every Wednesday night during the summer. Complete with sound system and moveable pulpit, that church has a regular weekly outreach to their community.

I struck up a conversation with one of the congregation members. Even though she was among those preparing to transform the street corner into the setting for a worship service, she still has time to give me her view on peace.

Darlene’s personal definition: “PEACE is knowing that you can wake up on a daily basis and know that there is no chaos and no confusion.”

I was struck by Darlene’s definition. No chaos, and no confusion. What she was describing—in reverse—is not only the absence of peace, it is the opposite of peace, in a fundamental sense. When a situation is chaotic and confusing, or when a person’s life is in chaos and confusion, there is no peace. At all.

It also made me think of the concept of waking up in a peaceful, serene place. A placid, safe setting. How many times does Darlene—and others in her community—wake up to the sounds of strife, or arguments, or gunfire in the streets? Truly, something to yearn for, to pray for.

Dear Lord, thank You for Darlene’s definition. I pray for her and for the congregation at Pleasant Green M.B. Church. Help that group of believers in God be a witness for Your peace, Your reconciliation and love, in the Englewood community. In Your mercy, hear all of our prayers.

@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.  #PursuePEACE. My Facebook page, Pursuing Peace – Thanks! And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

Pray and Praise for Young People

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Friday, July 29, 2016

Pray and Praise for Young People

Today was a wonderful end to the New Wilmington Mission Conference. Between wrapping up a mission perspective on the Lord’s Prayer, saying good-bye all day to people I see once a year, and finishing the evening listening to the Summer Service team, the day was jam-packed.

Fascinating how the Lord’s Prayer is almost always applicable. Even in a mission and outreach sense. Or, should I say, especially in such a sense?

I know many attendees from this conference. We were reminded at evening meeting that many, many people were praying for the Summer Service team as they spent a number of weeks abroad, immersing themselves in a different culture, different language, and different society.

The team spoke separately tonight, telling a bit about their trip, their encounters, and their reactions to what they experienced.

I praise God for these young people.

I pray that they might carry the encounters and experiences of their time away close to their hearts. I ask for clarity as each one makes decisions about the next thing for them to do. Dear God, I pray for those responsible for next year’s mission conference and service. Missionary God, You are not willing that any perish. Draw people to You. Help each person who was in attendance this week to be energized and empowered to tell others about You. About how much You love them, and even to the ends of the earth. Amen.

@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 #PursuePEACE.  And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

Pray for Opportunity, for Outreach

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, July 25, 2016

Pray for Opportunity, for Outreach

What a wonderful opportunity to experience mission and outreach. Each summer for more than fifteen years, I have had this experience of mission—up close and personal.

I got the chance to hear a friend of mine preach yesterday, on Sunday, and present today in a conference session. Some of the things he said were heartbreaking. However, many of the things he said were hopeful. So hopeful!

There are large parts of the world where individuals are realizing that the God of the Bible, the God who loved the whole world, the God who died and rose again—this God is the true God. My friend spoke of widespread struggle and military action, fear, anger, despair, and sincere questioning. At the same time, he spoke of an undercurrent of vibrant faith and connection in the God who loved the whole world, the God who died and rose again.

This is a tremendous opportunity. Not for fear, and anxiety, hatred, and despair. No! This is a time of hope and promise, of anticipation and outreach! Also, a time of earnest and heartfelt prayer. We need to continue to pray for God to send workers into the harvest.

Dear Lord, loving and merciful God, I pray for You to continue opening doors. Open doors for all who read these words. Provide opportunities to spread Your love and to tell others how much You love them. Thank You for Your love for me and for my family. Help me to be faithful to Your will, work, and ways. In the mighty, powerful and loving name of the One who was and is and is to come, the name of Jesus, Amen.

@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