Sunday Devotion

Welcome to the Sunday Devotion. In Community of Christ, we say a Prayer for Peace each day at our Temple in Independence, MO. Special prayers are offered for countries across the world or for special situations and awareness.  Today we will offer a Prayer for Peace using the prayer offered in the Worship Resources and written by Yvonne Donald. But as we offer this prayer, I challenge you to let the thoughts go deeper and personalize the prayer from you, remembering we are each called to be an instrument of peace. As we begin, take a deep breath and center your thoughts on peace for you, for me, for our communities and for our world.

O God, may we remember your first gift to us is life itself. When we understand this truth it becomes easy to see beauty and worth in others who have been blessed with this same gift. We ask that your Spirit fill us, melt us, mold us, and use us. May we hear many times the affirmation from others, “I believe what you say because I know who you are!” I pray for peace on Earth and that I will be an instrument of that peace. (Who has blessed you, making you feel worthy and blessed? How can you help others feel worthy? Pray for insight and guidance.)

When we truly experience your grace, we want to share our ministries for the sake of others. Help us to pay attention to the moment and to see people for who they truly are. I pray for peace on Earth, and that I will be an instrument of that peace. (What ministries were you able to offer this past week? How can you minister to those whom you work with, or as you perform your daily tasks (driving to work, providing meals, calling friends, etc.)? Make a list of the small things you can do and asking God to help bring those to mind as you go through your day.)

We pray for your guidance as we immerse ourselves in the life of our larger community. May we show that blessings of tolerance, reconciliation, and unity in diversity are possible because of the power of pure love. May we be known as a people of humility—extending ourselves in service to others regardless of race, gender, religion, or social status. (Thank God for those who have shown examples of tolerance, reconciliation, and unity of diversity around you? Pray that you might be such a person.)

We need your guidance to become more fully a blessed community so we may be more effectively a blessing to our extended community. Help us to witness the power of together! Let there be peace on Earth, and let it include all the children of God. (Identify those opportunities where you can be part of your community in reaching out in peace. Pray for guidance for groups involved in peaceful resolution. Speak peace. Be peace. Peace is not always the presence of quiet. Sometimes it must be loud.)

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
​Author: Bonnie Barber