Peace
Ascension Day
God will judge between the nations,
and settle disputes of mighty nations.
Then they will beat their swords into iron plows
and their spears into pruning tools. ~ Isaiah 2:4 (CEB)
God’s love and kindness
will shine upon us
like the sun that rises
in the sky. On us who live
in the dark shadow
of death
this light will shine
to guide us
into a life of peace. ~ Luke 1:78–79 (CEV)
Jesus, Prince of Peace, you talked so much about the coming of peace and the establishment of a kingdom where conflict is over. This is really important to you and a reflection of who you are. Yet, we have grown so used to hearing about wars and conflicts that we don't even try to imagine peace. We've quit trying to work toward peace. We confess this failure of faith and ask that you would completely convert us into people of peace -- people formed by your ideas and ideals. Help us to love bad people and to forgive those who are violent. Please change the world -- and start with me. Amen.
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
