O Christ of peace, be near us, we pray.
Be an ever present source of calm
in these uncertain times,
revealing to us our idols of calm,
leaving them now at the manger’s feet.
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Empty our full cups of fear and anxiety.
Let them be poured out completely,
leaving no space but the space you fill;
More room for your peace,
more room for you, O Christ.
~
May your coming on a silent night,
remind our anxious hearts that it is
in the small and quiet places,
that our restless souls can cease wandering.
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O Christ of peace, be near us, we pray.
~
Bring us wisdom that vanquishes anxiety,
love that conquers our fears,
and hope that carries our broken hearts.
May the busyness of this season and
the uncertainty of these times take a back seat
to your mercy and lovingkindness.
~
Give us eyes to see your peace.
Eyes to see when it is present and
eyes to see where it needs to be brought.
May we not hoard peace for ourselves,
out of fear there isn’t enough or
out of anger that others don’t deserve it
but share it freely, knowing it’s eternal abundance
is not prejudice but pours out freely.
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O Christ of peace, be near us all, we pray.
~
Let us thoughtfully consider the ways of peace,
carefully constructing our days to invite it’s presence:
Shutting off unnecessary noise, eliminating excessive spending,
turning away from the draining blue light of screens.
Let us instead tune our ears toward the silent calm,
practice generosity, and look into eyes that smile.
~
Though others may make the day difficult,
and the news may add to frustration and fears.
Though it feels like nothing will return to normal
and the loneliness is overwhelming.
Even though anxiety wakes us up at night
and anger catches us by surprise.
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O Christ of peace, give us the grace to give peace even still!
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Give grace this day, Lord Jesus.
We cannot see your peace without it!
Take this day, full of unknowns and anxieties,
make it a mantle of your peace in our homes,
our places of work, and in communities.
Give us grace this day, this very moment Lord Jesus.
Knowing that your peace wins every time,
even in the face of hatred, injustice, sickness and death.
Your peace is more contagious than any virus.
May we be super-spreaders of your peace, oh Lord!
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O Christ of peace, be near us, we pray.
~
Meet us, O Christ in the hardship of this day,
Let your peace be born.
In the discord with family and friends,
Let your peace be born.
In the emptiness of our homes and tables,
Let your peace be born.
In the fear of sickness and death,
Let your peace be born.
~
Be born, O Christ of peace in us this day.
Birth in us everlasting and generous peace,
that does not come and go with our moods
but is resilient in the breaking storm and
holds fast in our ever changing days.
Be born in us,
be born in others,
be born in our enemies
in our friends,
in our leaders,
in our communities
and in our nation.
Colette Eaton 