Friday: World
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. 
 
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:  Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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Meditation
We would like to have a simple manual for attaining peace.  A 10 step process. Or a practical piece of advice for achieving peace.  God’s word doesn’t give any gimmicks.  No short-cuts or life hacks.  God’s word speaks more about God’s peace, and God DOING peace.  

Take a moment to do this exercise.  Make a list of where you want peace.   Think of the three places where you need peace in your life.  Where do you want peace?

 To every one of those things you listed, speak these words of Jesus from John 14:27:  "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you." 

Your remedy is his word.  Your weapon is the Prince of Peace. 

 Lord, my marriage . . . "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you." 

Lord, my heart is restless.  I don’t even know why.  It’s just not right.  “Peace I give you.”

Lord, my body is a wreck.  “Peace I leave with you.”

Lord, I’m in a cloud.  It’s dark and I can’t get out.  “Peace be with you.” 

 Write this verse on a notecard and put it in your pocket this week.  If you need to, take a pen and write it on your arm.  Commit it to memory.  Speak his words five times a day.  Call upon his promise.

Jesus is shalom.  Jesus gives shalom.  Peace to you.  Peace for you.  

Prayer for the World
 
·        For my city, state, and country.
·        For leaders: mayor, governor, president, congress.
·        For those who serve the public: police officers, firefighters, teachers, first responders, medical   personnel.
·        For the nations of the world, for world leaders.
·        For good government, good schools, good business.
·        For justice, especially for the oppressed: minorities, immigrants and refugees, orphans, widows, the very young or unborn, the aged. 
·        For creation:  for the care of land, air, wildlife, and sea. 
 
 Closing Prayer
Lord God, here are the places where I see need.  Here is where I want peace . . . You are my only hope, your word my only promise.  Bring peace that passes all understanding.  Amen.  ​