#PrayForPeace

Yesterday was my birthday. I am not one to ever want to draw attention to myself. I love celebrating, but all eyes on me... no thank you. So I didn't plan anything special, but still it was a birthday to remember! I spent time with friends, and made new ones. I soaked up this country I so desperately love, as God reminded me He called me to His great work. I believe God also orchestrated one special “coincidence” for me. Since the first time I ever heard a Reba McEntire song, I was a huge fan.... We redheads must stick together! A few months ago, I saw she was asking people to send in videos for a new song called Pray for Peace. Being the fan that I am, I thought that the kids here at Redeemer House should send something in. After all, they are pretty adorable! Would you believe that we got chosen for her video? And would you believe it would come out on my birthday?? Well, it happened! Happy birthday to me!!

You can see the video here. We are about halfway through.

Even more than just the fact we were in her video, it made me dwell on the concept of peace. Peace, one of the fruits of the Spirit. Isaiah 66:12 says, “Behold, I extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream.” We are able to seek the comfort of peace from our Creator, the God of the universe. He extends His peace like a river. I always find comfort sitting by water, whether that be a lake, river, ocean, whatever! I find His peace deep within me.

We are living in a fallen world. As we look out, peace is not a common theme. Hatred, racism, anger, violence, war, disease, and brokenness fill our eyes and our hearts with sadness, knowing this was not God's intention for us. Part of Reba's song says, “There's power in the number of us praying here on earth. We're asking for a miracle, let your voice be the first to pray for peace.” Living in Uganda, I see the urgency and the need for the Peace of God to come and fill the lives of the broken. As poverty and brokenness tries to steal lives, I pray earnestly for a miracle. I have days where I want to give up on this mission thing, and go live in the safety of a church tower. There I would never have to leave. I would be alone with just me and my Savior. In those moments, I am reminded of Philippians 4:6-7, which says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Never should we stop praying. Never should we anxiously stand by, but turn all those sorrowful situations over to the God of Peace. He will guard our hearts and minds, as we run straight to Christ.

Prayer is powerful and will change lives, but we cannot stop there. One of my favorite sayings comes from my grandma. I don't know if I ever heard it come out of anyone else, but she always says to me when I am praying hard about something I want to come true, “it is time to put feet to your prayers.” God works miracles, but many times, He wants to use us to answer our own prayers. If we are unwilling to take action for what we want done, then how desperately do we truly want our prayers taken care of? In Matthew 5:9, Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will inherit to earth.” Peacemakers are blessed. God finds those traits desirable. Let us not just pray for peace, but go and bring the peace of God to those who are so broken. Let us fight the hatred, racism, anger, violence, war, disease, and brokenness that filled our hearts with sadness. Let us not get anxious to the point of standing back and letting the sorrow happen. Let us be the answers to our own prayers.

As I start my 23^rd year of life, I am blessed with the reminder to pray for peace. I want to pray without stopping, and I want to be used by God to bring His peace to broken lives. I am so thankful God calls us all to such a task. I am excited to see how He will use this year, as I dedicate myself for the concept of praying for peace.