Celtic Daily Prayer

Lord, You have always given
peace for the coming day;
and though of anxious heart,
today I believe.

Another saying that comes to mind as we continue to look at this part of Celtic Evening Prayer is “Peace at any price!” However, Eve Curie Labouissec writes, “We discovered that peace at any price is no peace at all...that life at any price has no value whatever; that life is nothing without the privileges, the prides, the rights, the joys that make it worth living and also worth giving...and that there is something more hideous, more atrocious than war or than death; and that is to live in fear.” 

Jesus words regarding peace are quite specific,  “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

Lucinda Norman writes of her experience Christmas shopping at the mall. People had been pushing, elbowing and cutting in front of her all day. During a 10 minute extra 10% off special, one woman grabbed a lace table cloth from her hands, looked her in the eye and said, “Mine!” She yanked it back and won. 

By 4 pm her mood was belligerent. She met some friends at a restaurant and flagged down a member of staff. She barked, “I need a hot tea now!” 

The waitress snapped back, “I’m not your server. Wait your turn.” 

Lucinda responded, “Lady, I’ve been waiting my turn all day. Bring me some tea!” But the waitress ignored her. 

A few moments later, a friendly young man came to their tables and said, “I’m Rob, your waiter.” After he took their order, Lucinda watched Rob as he helped the rude waitress with her tray. He greeted the other customers and staff with a smile on his face. In the midst of all of the hurried customers and chaos of the season, he had a polite and unhurried atmosphere of calm. 

When he refilled her tea, Lucinda noticed a silver ring on his hand made of connected letters spelling Jesus. And then she writes, “From that moment, my attitude changed. This young man’s example had reminded me of the peace that Christ came to bring.” And for the rest of the day, Lucinda enjoyed shopping, opened doors for other and let others in front of her in the checkout line, all in an atmosphere of peace.

Maybe start and end the day praying….

Lord, You have always given

peace for the coming day;

and though of anxious heart,

today I believe.

Your peace is sufficient for me. Amen