By Elizabeth MacDonald of Seaside, Oregon USA

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hope Is Found in the Spaces

The storm clouds are dark and heavy with rain.
An opening appears between the clouds
And rays of sunlight pierce the darkness
Bringing hope that the storm will soon pass.

The crack in the concrete is jagged
And seems a barren, wasted space.
Two leaves push through the sidewalk crack,
A bud forms, a flower opens bringing hope
That beauty will grace the barren space.

The sound of war surrounds a village;
Mortar rounds drown out sounds of life.
An eerie silence comes as morning dawns.
The soft sound of singing is heard as light comes
Bringing hope that hearts will again sing with joy.

Hope appears in the spaces of life
Between darkness and light; death and life;
It grows in the barren, wasted places;
It shines into the dark, empty rooms of our lives
And sings in the silence of a new day dawning.

Look for hope, search for God
Where the ground is wasted space.
Listen for God, hear hope
In the silence between sounds of destruction.
Stand in the Light and let your heart sing.

Prayer Phrase

“I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).

Spiritual Practice

Light
Close your eyes and become centered with your breath. As you breathe gently in and out, reflect on the statement, “The light of God is in all things.” The light has a bright, soft beauty and radiates God’s healing love. The light of God reaches you and permeates you with a deep sense of peace. Rest in the light as it surrounds and fills you. Thank God that you live in God’s light, and it lives in you.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.