As the tension grows in our country during this heated election season, other than the Lord’s Prayer, I can’t imagine a prayer more applicable to our current climate. It’s far too easy to get swept up in the excitement (and sometimes frustration and anger) of politics and forget that, above all else, we are citizens of God’s kingdom first—a kingdom ruled by the Prince of Peace.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9). There seems to be a special place in God’s heart for those who choose to bring peace when strife is rampant.
The Apostle James offered a powerful formula that I believe holds the key to being an instrument of peace when he said, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” (James 1:19-20)
He lays out three clear imperatives that can help us be used by God to bring peace right now.