A Prayer about the Pace of Peace
Simeon took him [Jesus] in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:28–32 NIV)
Gracious Jesus, it’s just a few days after Christmas and already many of my neighbors are taking down their lights and trees. It seems like we’re always in a hurry for the next thing. Traffic never moves fast enough, waiters don’t bring our food soon enough, and the mail isn’t delivered quick enough. I’m no exception to this harried and hurried way of doing life.
I guess this is one of the reasons I’m drawn to Simeon, a man who seemed to live at a different pace than I do. We know so little about this “righteous and devout” man, but we do know he was “waiting for the consolation of Israel”— that is, longing for the arrival of the Messiah, anticipating the fulfillment of promises God alone can keep, hoping to see you, Jesus, though he didn’t know your name.
Eight days after your birth, Jesus, Simeon took you into his arms— you, by whose arms all things have been made and are sustained. Whether or not he expected to die soon, the peace that resulted from that embrace changed everything.
Jesus, it’s only because you have embraced me in the gospel that I have the same peace Simeon experienced. For you are God’s promised salvation for Israel, for Gentiles, and for me. In you I have found the consolation that can be found nowhere else. You are my forgiveness, my righteousness, my sanity, my peace, and a whole lot more.
But as we’re on the verge of beginning a new year, I want the peace of your grace to help me live by the pace of your peace in this next season. Slow me down, Jesus. Center me. Settle me. Focus me. If I’m going to be in a hurry about one thing this year, may it be to linger longer in your presence. Everything else will take care of it- self. I pray in your glorious name.
Amen.