With all the noise in the world, do you hear the voice of God? Your calendar tells you what to do, but do you remember who you are? Being comes before doing. This is a call to put first things first. Return to the Lord with this daily pattern of prayer and devotion. Set aside this time as a sanctuary. Find a space free of distraction and follow this pattern.
Invocation
Make the sign of the cross, and say,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation Prayer
If you have an advent wreath, light the first two candles and pray:
Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. The light no darkness can overcome.
Jesus, you are the Prince of Peace. Teach us to make peace with our words, with our hands, for our own place and all places. Amen.
Word: John 20:19
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
Meditation
You know that the Hebrew word shalom means peace. Shalom was also used as a greeting. It still is today. On Saturday, you can hear Jews greeting one another with “Shabbat shalom,” or “sabbath peace.”
You can say shalom like a farewell: “Shalom. Goodbye, see you later, so long.” You can say shalom like a greeting: “Shalom! Hello. Welcome.”
In John 14, Jesus used shalom as a farewell. “Peace I leave with you.” Farewell. Goodbye. He was leaving his disciples on his way to the cross. In chapter 20, after Jesus rose from the dead, he says “Shalom” again. In the span of a few verses, John records, “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19,21,26)
Biblical scholar D.A. Carson says the use of shalom from chapter 14 to chapter 20 is intentional. The shalom in chapter 14 is a farewell as Jesus goes to die. The shalom in chapter 20 is a greeting as he is risen. “Hello. Hello to the new age. Welcome to real peace. Touch my hands, my wounded side. All is as it should be. Welcome to life in the future. Shalom.”
Prayer for Daily Callings
– For my occupation, workplace, coworkers.
– For my work to be good for others, an extension of God’s love and care.
– For the unemployed.
– For growth in my career; not to work for a paycheck but for you and others.
– For discernment, if I should pursue another job or direction in life.
– For my callings at home as spouse, son/daughter, brother/sister.
– For schools, teachers, classmates.
– For eyes to see God’s work around me this day. For the courage to participate in it.
– Not to be comfortable in my callings, but to be useful.
Closing Prayer
O God of eternity, your coming age is one of full and final peace. We eagerly await that day. Until then, help us to live as people of peace in the present time. May the peace in our hearts be a powerful witness to those in a restless world. Our lives, O Lord, must point to you. Amen.