For he himself (Jesus) is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. Eph. 2:14-15 (NIV)
Lord Jesus, thank you for making peace between God and us. Through your finished work, we have become objects of his affection, and ambassadors of reconciliation.
Thank you for tearing down the dividing wall between Gentiles and Jews, and other people groups as well. Only you can replace hostility with hospitality, meanness with kindness, and peace-breaking with peace-making. You fulfilled the demands of the law for us. Now fulfill the beauty of the Gospel in us.
In you, Jesus, differences no longer have to be barriers that exclude. Diversity becomes a bouquet of beauty when the Gospel is in play. As your every-nation Bride, we’ll finally believe that, at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. May that Day, impact this one.
As we enter this October Monday, we are desperate for your enmity-destroying, heart-gentling peace among us. Walls (with barbed-wire and shards of glass on top) separate friends, divide families, and polarize our country.
May we be salt and light in an hour of rage and darkness. It’s not about “us versus them,” but our common need of you. Help us, Jesus. So very Amen we pray, in your merciful and mighty name.
