Praying with Understanding

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Prayer, I believe is a conversation between us and God, either we are giving thanks, making requests or even asking questions. Yet it is not uncommon to feel like a prayer could be such a complicated and maybe even a delicate conversation to have, after all, it's God we are talking to here. There is no way that wouldn't be somehow daunting! I remember learning to pray as a child during family devotions and how nervous I'd get, mumbling through my words, hardly able to get anything coherent out. My auntie, bless her, would jump in the middle of one of my many long pauses to rescue me and carry on with the prayer but once we were done, my uncle would almost chide her for not giving me a chance to learn and develop my confidence. I didn't blame her; I found those long pauses very uncomfortable too! So, I usually understand when people tell me they do not know how to pray and would prefer others to pray for them or they'll just avoid it altogether and some even ask if
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Peacekeeper

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Hope you have all been keeping well? 
It has been a minute since I have been on here. Trying to keep a balance with so many things…. No excuse, I haven’t got more on my plate than the next person!
Still praying about this COVID-19 situation, mercy is all we need and what we will get!

I wanted to share a quick thought: a bible verse came to my mind recently when I was having a chat with a friend. It is found in Romans 12 vs 18 (Amplified Version): If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
I came across this bible verse as a teenager and I remember my understanding of it helped to improve relationships with my siblings and my general outlook on all relationships. Rather than complain about the way they behaved towards me, I focused on my behaviour and it’s impact on them and others and allowed that to guide me in managing certain situations. That does not mean I won’t call people out if they are acting unreasonable, I will just ensure my own actions have had no contribution to it.
It is very easy to point out the wrong others have done to you without you reflecting on your actions and how they may have contributed to that situation. Self-reflection is good and it helps to make you objective in every relationship. I remember a friend of mine who used to say I loved peace more than justice and I would ponder on that statement. Yes, I love peace but then I will never stand for injustice. If I am trying my best to live at peace with you, I would appreciate you focusing on doing the same, not looking for ways to trouble me!
God is the giver of peace and He has already contrasted the peace He gives to the one the world gives. God’s peace is eternal while the one the world gives is temporary, fleeting. It is so fragile that we have to keep trying as much as we can, within any space: our homes, our communities to encourage thoughts, words and actions that will promote peace.
We have read and/or seen at different points in history what happens when peace was taken out of the equation.
We all are different in many ways: background, upbringing, education, possibly socioeconomically which might have an impact on our outlook on life and influence our behaviour that can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. ‘If possible’: that phrase tells me it won’t be smooth sailing and it might not always go the way we desire but if there is a chance for peaceful relations, we must pursue that.

 ‘As far as it depends on you’: it’s up to us how we want it to go, try to make the effort to bring peace into every situation as best as you can. I can say here that I have had to walk away from toxic situations, but I knew I was true to myself every step of the away and up to that point. I am not advocating being a doormat to anyone, I am encouraging as always love and peace and the reality that though it may be difficult, it is something we all must keep trying to achieve. Don’t wait for the next person to be the one to apologize first, if you feel it in your heart to go for it, do so, it takes nothing away from you.

In seeking justice, you create peace, peace for those that have suffered any kind of injustice. What is important is how we go about seeking that justice, do we exchange one for the other? NO, doing so only causes chaos and goes against the teaching in the verse I’m reflecting on.

I want to encourage you today to use this verse to examine your relationships and how you manage conflicts. Peace and Justice? or to you is it Peace OR Justice?

Love you all.

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