It was still dark this morning as I drove to the gym. Blue, white, red, and green Christmas lights twinkled from the eaves and railings of home along the way. A contemporary carol played on the radio. When it ended, the hourly news broadcast began. The headlines seemed a stark contrast to the serenity of my morning thus far…
A landslide in Colombia may have buried 50 people. Two Israeli teens are suspected of starting a fire that killed 41 people. South Korea is conducting drills despite North Korea’s warnings. Two Pakistani suicide bombers posed as police officers and killed dozens yesterday. The grim reports ended only when I parked my car and turned off the ignition.
Those reports seem so distant. They’re overseas, miles and miles from my home and family. It’s easy to brush them off and go about my daily routine. But if I pause to think about these statistics as precious souls who have left behind grieving and distraught children, siblings, parents and spouses, I’m struck with the reality of the pain experienced every day around the world. How can I, one woman living in British Columbia’s lower mainland, make a difference? Here’s my thought: I can pray for people in pain to know and find comfort in Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 is everywhere I turn this season: “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
These words bear a constant reminder that Jesus—the reason for this Christmas season—came as the Prince of Peace. No sorrow is too great, no pain is too big, no fear is too much for Him to calm and soothe. Whether facing heartache of international proportion or struggling with a private pain that pales in comparison, Jesus is enough. This morning, even though I’m separated by thousands of miles from the people directly impacted by these weekend tragedies, I will pray that Jesus will rush to their rescue and reveal Himself to them as Prince of Peace.
This theme of peace deserves more attention than what I can give in a single blog, so I’m going to return to it on Wednesday and Friday. Please feel free to comment your thoughts about Jesus and peace. I’d love to hear them.
So true. We may not be able to physically or financially do anything but we always have prayer. Prayer is far more powerful than making a donation or going to help for a few days. Prayer changes things. Prayer changes our outlook and our heart. Thank you for this reminder.
Donations and practical assistance have their place, but prayer reaches corners of the world we could never reach otherwise. Pray on, sister!