21st - 27th October 2024
Time, where does it go? It’s hard to believe that it is just over a year since we reflected on the importance of mediation as we watched the various heads of governments around the world attempting to mediate on behalf of the people in Israel and Gaza. Twelve months on and things seem more entrenched and complicated as the conflict in the Middle East has continued and escalated to the extent that it dominates our news each day at the expense of other conflicts that are equally devastating.
We watch on from the safety and comfort of our homes and, if we are honest, feel helpless, deeply concerned and yes prayerful. As world leaders try to exert their influence and even try to apply political pressure on the leaders within Israel and Gaza and, more recently, within the wider Middle East region, we watch, pray and wonder. Is there any way to stop their current trajectory and to seek a better, different way, a way of peace?
I for one do not envy their task. It is nigh impossible in the heat of the circumstances that we have witnessed on our TV screens and social media outlets. It is difficult to see a way through the devastation that has occurred and continues to unfold in this part of the world. And, sadly, this is not the only conflict currently raging in the world. What we need to see now more than ever are real peacemakers because they are indeed blessed. Mediation is complex, takes time, patience, conversations and a willingness on all sides to end the conflict and seek real meaningful reconciliation and peace.
As followers of Jesus we are exhorted to pray for all people and specifically for those who are in authority over us. I know that sometimes I struggle to know how best to pray and then I am reminded of how Paul gave us a template for prayer in such circumstances. Writing to Timothy he says, ‘First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.’
Such helpful advice … pray for all people, pray for those in authority (the leaders) … pray that people would experience peaceful, quiet lives that are godly and dignified in every way. This is a good thing to pray for!
And, as we pray into the situations we see and hear about, let’s remember God’s heart is to see all people coming to faith in him, finding freedom from their sin, understanding his mercy, grace and love. Living in the reality of the forgiven life in him as they grow in knowledge of who he is and what he has accomplished for them through his Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross.
This thought about mediation was stirred up in my mind whilst reflecting on Timothy Keller’s book on prayer. In it he talks about how we encounter the Mediator. In 1 Timothy we are reminded that, ‘there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.’
A mediator is sometimes referred to as a go-between, one who facilitates a relationship between two parties. And this is exactly what Jesus has done for us by opening a way for us to have a right relationship with God the Father. The cost was immense, the only price to be paid was that of his own sinless life given freely, paying the penalty required for our sinfulness. I’m not sure if we can ever fully understand the depth of God’s love and how he demonstrated it to us. Our current series in Ephesians is definitely helping!
I’m just not sure if the reality of what Jesus has accomplished for me through his birth, life, death and resurrection is something I can ever fully grasp. Yes, I believe, but at times how I respond and live is not how I should if I fully grasped the significance of the living hope I now have.
I suppose this is one of the reasons Paul prayed so often ‘that out of God’s glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith’ and he went on to pray that we ‘being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.’
I for one am so thankful that Jesus enabled the restoration of my broken relationship with God due to my sin, that he made a way possible for me to know the reality of forgiveness, acceptance and love through believing his word, by accepting the facts of who Jesus is and responding in repentance and faith saying ‘Forgive me, I believe, save me’!
As we come to take time to pray this week let’s thank God for Jesus, our mediator, and let us pray for peacemakers to come to the fore in the conflicts that exist around this world but also the conflicts that are happening behind many closed doors in our neighbourhoods and maybe even in our own homes.
Written by David Mairs
MONDAY
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Matthew 5:9
Heavenly Father, as I observe the wars and rumours of wars around your world I ask for you to develop within me a capacity to be a peacemaker. Help me to actively seek to reconcile and bring peace into situations and relationships were I have a connection and possible influence. Father, I know when it comes to conflicts across the world the main thing I can do is pray, pray for those on either side to seek reconciliation and restoration. Help me to reflect your character in my interactions with others. Help me to bring your presence and your peace into situations where it could so easily be missed. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
TUESDAY
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Romans 14:19
Heavenly Father, it can be so easy to find fault in others, to be cricital or envious, to be dismissive and uncaring. Forgive me when my words and actions cause pain in other people’s lives. Develop within me a heart that yearns for peace, that seeks to build other people up and understand the importance of unity. Help me to be an encourager, to think before I speak and to seek to build up my brothers and sisters rather than become a hindrance to your work in their lives and, as a result, in my life as well. Teach me how to love and have a compassionate heart in these days. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1-4
Heavenly Father, today I pray for … (take time to pray for all people who are suffering due to the conflicts in our world, take time to pray for kings and those in authority in these areas). Heavenly Father, we ask for your help at this time of uncertainty and fear as we watch on, in a sense feeling helpless at so much loss of life, so much animosity, so much destruction. Lord, will you intervene and move in the lives of our world leaders. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
THURSDAY
This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:4
Father God, there are so many terrible things happening in this world, life seems so fragile and uncertain at times. There are many in my family, friendship groups, neighbourhood and even those I work or study alongside that do not know you as their Saviour. (Take time and pray for those God has placed on your heart). Merciful Father, your heart it that all people will be saved and know the truth of who you are and what Jesus has accomplished for them on the cross and through his resurrection. Enlighten blinded eyes and save those I have brought before you. Help me to build gospel bridges where you have placed me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
FRIDAY
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:16-17
Heavenly Father, in a strange sense I feel comfort and peace within my spirit as I read these verses. To know that you are Sovereign, that you are ultimately in control even when the world seems out of control. Thank you that in Jesus all things were created, even thrones, rulers, authorities. It’s hard to comprehend that they were created through you and for you and that you hold everything together. Help me to trust you with the uncertainty I see in the world, help me to have faith that you are in control and working out your good purposes in the midst of so many conflicts that seem senseless and futile. Father, give me confidence to trust you, knowing that in time you will make all things new and there will be a new heaven and a new earth and justice will prevail. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
SATURDAY
Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor.
1 Peter 2:17
Heavenly Father, help me to treat everyone I meet with kindness, dignity and respect regardless of their background, beliefs or social status. Help me to love as you love, help me to value all people as part of your incredible creation. Teach me how to love my brothers and sisters in a way that is distinctive, supporting them, building them up, treating them as family. Father, show me how to develop a deep and true reverence and respect for who you are, the almighty, all knowing, all present God. Help me to also respect and obey those in authority, to be a law abiding citizen (even in my car!) and to honour those you have placed in authority as long as their laws do not contradict yours and, when they do, help me to stay close to you and continue to pray for them. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
SUNDAY
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Romans 13:1
Heavenly Father, your word is always challenging and for good reason too because you desire to transform us by the renewing of our minds as we grow in our understanding of who you are, what your words say and how we live them out in our lives, in a way that is honouring to you. Teach me the importance of respecting and submitting to the governing authorities that you establish. There is so much in the world, globally and locally, that is hard to understand. There is so much to question. It is so hard to know how to pray at times. Help me to keep my eyes focussed on you in times of uncertainty and deep concern about what is happening around me. Remind me that you are a just God and that you are redeeming this world, reconciling men, women and children, saving to the uttermost all that call on your name. Father, there are many reasons I want you to be longsuffering and patient as I consider those I know and love that so far have not come to a saving knowledge of you. Being honest, as I look at the world around me, my prayer has more recently been – come quickly and bring an end to sin and its consequences and make all things new. In Jesus’ name. Amen.