It was 1938 when Neville Chamberlain returned to Britain from Berlin having signed the Munich Agreement and uttered the words “I have returned from Germany with peace for our time.” Less than a year later Hitler would invade Poland which would trigger declarations from the United Kingdom and France. War was and continues to be nothing new.
The prospect of peace seems elusive. We might find peace of mind and we might enjoy peace and quiet. However, peace from war has eluded us.
This Sunday will mark the Second Sunday of Advent, a Sunday where we look to the peace we have in Jesus Christ. We consider the future peace we will know with the coming Kingdom.
Prayer for Peace
God of all people, open our hearts to your tender mercy. Open our minds to your understanding. Though we are many people, living in many nations we pray for peace which is built on your compassion. Help us break the chains of bondage which keep us enslaved to war and fear. May our voices shout for justice and may our hearts yearn for compassion. Loving God, may we know your peace. Amen.