An earthquake near my second home has me considering the need for peace. Literally, the earth there needs to still. Also in need of peace are the four teenagers I wrote about last time, other students, especially girls from rural areas, and colleagues and friends.

I imagine you can make your own list of people and situations in need of peace. Perhaps you’d add yourself to the list. Will you join me in lifting words like the ones below up to Jesus? If you add your own lines in the comments, I will join your cries for rescue.

Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is listening. Always.

“Peace! Be Still!”

When the sky grew dark
and the winds whipped up the sea, 
You stretched your arms 
from sleep to scepter,
commanding,
“Peace! Be still!”

Now,
as did your followers then,
we cry for rescue,
for us,
for them.

When the mountains quake
and the earth trembles 
keeping time with fast-beating hearts
and quickened breath,
when the gaping mouth of the deep
seems to beckon,
“Peace! Be still!”

When past trauma—
from physical, emotional,
or situational abuse,
from lockdowns and lockouts—
threatens the present
with dark clouds of hurt and sorrow,
“Peace! Be still!”

When jobs are scarce,
costs rising,
and circumstances stifling,
when fears for the future
drive joy from the present,
“Peace! Be still!”

When homework piles on homework.
task on task,
duty on duty,
when schedules are crammed
and sleep is elusive,
the pressure an unrelenting vortex,
“Peace! Be still!”

As the wind and the waves obeyed,
so may situations and circumstances,
places and people,
heart, mind,
and soul.
“Peace! Be still!”

Photo by Emiliano Arano.