²⁸ Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

Dear God, what an interesting thing for Jesus to say. He didn’t say, “You best be gettin’ to work!” Yes, he raised the standard on a lot of things. He equated hate to murder. He loathed selfishness. But his lead-off hitter was peace.

I’ve quoted this song many times in these prayers, but the song “Peace” by Rich Mullins comes to mind this morning. The chorus: “May peace rain down from heaven like little pieces of the sky. Little keepers of the promise falling on these souls the drought has dried. In his blood and in his body. In this bread and in this wine. Peace to you. Peace of Christ to you.”

That’s my prayer for my wife and children this morning. For my parents, siblings, and nieces and nephews. For my coworkers, our clients, and then my friends. I pray that they burdens be lifted, their wounds be healed, any secrets locking them up would be revealed for your glory’s sake, and for you to ultimately enter the world through them. And do the same with me. Let your peace fall on me as I go through this day. Help me to carry that peace to others.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen