Romans 12:18 — If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.
John 13:34 — A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
Colossians 3:13 –Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
I Peter 3:8 — Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
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Heavenly Father, help me remember that the person who cut me off in traffic last night, could have been a single mother who worked nine hours that day and was rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry, and spend a few precious moments with her children.
Help me to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can’t make change correctly, might be a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.
Remind me, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job) is perhaps a slave to addictions that I can only imagine in my worst nightmares.
Help me to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking my shopping progress, might be savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.
Heavenly Father, remind me each day that, of all the gifts you give me, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those I hold dear. Open my heart not just to those who are close to me but to all people. Let me be slow to judgment, quick to forgive, and always patient.
In Jesus’s name. AMEN. –Author Unknown
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May I be no man’s enemy, and may I be the friend of that which is eternal and abides. May I never quarrel with those nearest me: and if I do, may I be reconciled quickly. May I never devise evil against anyone; and if any devise evil against me, may I escape uninjured and without the need of hurting him. May I love, seek, and attain only that which is good. May I wish for all men’s happiness and envy none. May I never rejoice in the ill-fortune of one who has wronged me. When I have done or said what is wrong, may I never wait for the rebuke of others, but always rebuke myself until I make amends. May I win no victory that harms either me or my opponent. May I do what I can to reconcile friends who are angry with one another. May I never fail a friend who is in danger. When visiting those in grief, may I be able to soften their pain by gentle and healing words. May I respect myself. May I always keep tame that which rages within me. May I accustom myself to be gentle, and never be angry with people because of circumstances. May I never discuss who is wicked, and what wicked things they have done. May I know good people and follow in their footsteps.
–Eusebias, Greek Bishop (260-339)
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Lord, we thank you for your love for us, and for the love of family and friends. Forgive our unworthiness. Forgive the many times we have disappointed those who love us, have failed them, wearied them, or saddened them. Failing them, we have failed you, and hurting them we have hurt you. Lord, have mercy on us and forgive us. You do not fail those who love you. Teach us to love others how you have loved us, being generous, selfless, and humble. O Light of the world, teach us to love. Amen.
–Elizabeth Goudge, novelist (1900-1984)
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O God, you have bound us together in this bundle of life; give us grace to understand how our lives depend on the courage, the work, the honesty and the integrity of our fellow men. Grant that we may be ever mindful of their needs, grateful for their faithfulness, and faithful in our responsibilities to them; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
–Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)
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O Lord, it grieves me that anger, strife, and bitterness have become a part of my life. Forgive my sins and renew my spirit so that I will pardon others, correct the mistakes I have made, and be more cheerful with those around me. Remind me through your Word, that your Son’s peace provides the needed hope and reason for healing and change. Amen. –WELS Hymnal.
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Lord, grant that each one who has to do with me today may be the happier for it. Give me a quick eye for the little kindnesses, that I may be ready to do them, and be gracious in receiving them. Guide me in what I say, granting me the wisdom of a loving heart that I may say the right thing in the right way. Keep me from unkind words and unkind silences. Restrain my judgements, but when I must criticize, make my criticisms kind, generous, and constructive. Lord, help us to live in peace. Amen.
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