And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”—Luke 2:13-14

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.— John 14:27

Our world knows little peace this Christmas. It is brimming over with grief, anger, want and fear. But Jesus came to bring us peace, a peace that is only available in Him, a peace the world continues to spurn.

So this Christmas I pray for peace.

I pray for peace in Ferguson, in New York City, in Chicago and in Washington, D.C. I pray for peace in our homes, in our places of business, on our streets and in our houses of worship. I pray for peace among those who look different and among those who look the same.

I pray for peace in Jerusalem. May the Lord be your shield. I pray for peace among the persecuted Christians in Iraq, Iran, Syria and throughout the Middle East. May you be able to celebrate Your Redeemer’s birth without retribution.

I pray for peace throughout Africa. May Christ tear down strongholds, deliver those in bondage and meet the deepest needs of the oppressed and impoverished.

I pray for peace among His servants who live to make Him known, particularly in closed countries. May their hearts be lighter and their joy be made full.

I pray for peace throughout Asia, among those who must worship covertly and those who may worship Him overtly. May Christ be their light and their strength.

I pray for peace throughout the Western world, where freedoms are being increasingly encroached and a dark presence rises. May Christ shine all the more brightly in their hearts and lives.

I pray for peace among the grieving, the destitute, the lonely and the uncertain. May Christ be your rock and His Spirit your comforter and your guide. May He meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. May His children be found faithfully ministering to these in His name.

I pray for peace among those who desire no peace, that God would take hold of their hearts and enter in. I pray for peace to the weary, to those who fear such peace will forever elude them. Lord, hear their cries.

I pray for peace as families gather, that dissension will be put aside and love remembered. I pray for peace among the little ones who are overwhelmed with Christmas excitement, that even then His presence will be the greatest present they will receive.

I pray for peace for you and yours, that you will cling to His peace even as you face struggles and calamity this coming year. And I pray that you and I will be instruments of His peace, that we will reflect His beauty and grace so that we may be instruments of healing in our very broken world.

Merry Christmas, my friends. His peace He leaves you.