A Prayer for Peace around the World This Christmas - Your Daily Prayer - December 3

Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

your daily prayer devotional art


A Prayer for Peace around the World This Christmas
By Amanda Idleman

Bible Reading
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” - Matthew 5:9

Listen or Read Below:

As we embrace the joy and merriment of the holiday season, it’s important that we not forget that many enter these months with no peace. Either their country is being terrorized by conflicts or their hearts are in turmoil as they grapple with discord in their own lives. No matter what, we need God’s peace that surpasses all understanding in order to take in the beauty of Christmas fully.

In Matthew 5:9, Jesus calls us to be peacemakers, meaning we are to be the ones who help bridge the gap when a need is in front of us. Being a peacemaker looks like being the first to apologize when an offense occurs. Additionally it means we can be prayer warriors for people and places in our world that are in conflict. We may not be able to solve the conflict others are caught in, but we do have the power to intercede on their behalf, asking God of the Heavenly Armies to step in and offer peace, comfort, and protection. 

When we gaze at sorrow, chaos, and loss, it’s helpful to remember that We know God is able to do abundantly more than we could ever ask, think, or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). With this in mind, we can believe with absolute faith that God can change hearts, minds, and circumstances. As we see evil around us and feel defeated, we must consider that our God, the one true God, is greater than the powers of darkness that are at work in our world. By grace, He is a light bringer to Earth, where the darkness reigns. 

It’s God’s people, his sons and daughters, that are called to partner with God’s great mission to pierce the darkness. His blessings flow when we become a part of God’s peace on Earth. This Christmas, let’s not forget God’s plan to bring goodwill to men. We can be so thankful for his redemption for Earth and its inhabitants (Luke 2:14). Consider this Christmas, what issue grieves your heart the most? Is it a personal loss that has robbed your peace? Is it a loved one stuck in the darkness of addiction? Are you grieved by the warfare and turmoil across the world where needless loss is occurring? Do you find your heart broken by those who are separated from their families due to neglect and abuse in foster care? 

Choose the things that weigh heavy on you, and begin to pray against the darkness this holiday. Write out your prayers and make it a part of your advent ritual to pray for those who are stuck in dark places this year. The world changes because of the faithful and diligent prayers of the saints! Don’t underestimate your value in the Kingdom of Heaven. As we pray over the brokenhearted, God will expand our view this holiday season. Christmas is less about fancy gifts, dinners, dresses, and desserts. The message of Christmas is that God saw a way to bring hope to a lost and dying world. Jesus came to Earth for the lost, broken, down-on-their-luck, least of these! As Christ's followers, we must also be FOR those who are in need, not content to live comfortably and blind to the spiritual war going on around us. 

Let’s Pray:

Dear God, we thank you that you are greater than the evil one. You have power to defeat sin and death. We can live bold and fearless lives thanks to the gift of the Holy Spirit we have access to every day. Today, we ask that you bring peace around the world this Christmas. Where there is discord, bring harmony. Where there is loss, bring comfort. Where there is fear, bring calm. Breathe fresh wind of hope into the lives of those who feel hopeless. Open the eyes of the lost to see you and your beauty even in their brokenness. Bring a fresh wind of revival to our city, state, nation, and world. Would you receive all the glory and honor for your every gracious gift of peace here on Earth? Amen.

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Sami Sert

Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is encouraging others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for Your Nightly Prayer, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, Your Daily Prayer, and more. She has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.comBiblestudytools.com, and Christianity.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God's Heart of Love for Mommas, alongside her husband’s companion devotional, Shepherd. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram.

Related Resource: What If God’s Heart Toward You Is Kinder Than You Think?

In this episode of Talk About That, you will laugh along with stories about children’s books, volleyball mornings, St. Patrick’s Day, and even the questionable legacy of the Power Team, but underneath the humor is a thoughtful conversation about one of the deepest questions of faith: how God truly sees us. John and Jonnie reflect on weakness, mercy, and the struggle many believers feel in accepting that God is not only patient with them, but genuinely pleased to call them His own. It’s an honest, encouraging reminder that our relationship with God is not built on performance, perfection, or “having it all together,” but on His love, grace, and fatherly delight in His children. You'll come away challenged to see yourself less through the lens of self-criticism and more through the steady, compassionate eyes of a God who knows you fully, loves you deeply, and may just be rooting for you more than you realize. If you laughed out loud listening to this episode, be sure to follow Talk About That on Apple and Spotify!

 

Salem News Channel Today

Sponsored Links


September 26 - Phoenix, AZ
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts


November 2 - Detroit, MI
Zion Christian Church in Troy


October 6 - Los Angeles, CA
Pasadena Convention Center


November 5 - San Antonio, TX
Norris Centers – The Grand Red Oak Ballroom


October 8 - Sacramento, CA
William Jessup University


November 7 - Tampa, FL
The Palladium at St. Pete College


October 22 - Minneapolis, MN
Crowne Plaza AiRE


November 15 - San Francisco, CA
Fremont Marriott Silicon Valley


October 23 - Philadelphia, PA
Green Valley Country Club


November 16 - Denver, CO
CU South Denver - Formerly Wildlife Experience


November 2 - Chicago, IL
Chicago Westin Northwest in Itasca


November 21 - Cleveland, OH
Holiday Inn Rockside in Independence



Salem Radio Network Speakers

Larry Elder is an American lawyer, writer, and radio and television personality who calls himself the "Sage of South Central" a district of Los Angeles, Larry says his philosophy is to entertain, inform, provoke and to hopefully uplift. His calling card is "we have a country to save" and to him this means returning to the bedrock Constitutional principles of limited government and maximum personal responsibility. Elder's iconoclastic wit and intellectual agility makes him a particularly attractive voice in a nation that seems weary of traditional racial dialogue.” – Los Angeles Times.

Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher began his broadcasting career in 1978 in Dayton, Ohio. Today, he is one of the most listened-to talk radio show hosts in America, recently having been ranked in the Talkers Magazine “Heavy Hundred” list – the 100 most important talk radio hosts in America. Prior to being launched into national syndication in 1998, Mike hosted the morning show on WABC-AM in New York City. Today, Talkers Magazine reports that his show is heard by over 3.75 million weekly listeners. Besides his radio work, Mike is seen on Fox News Channel as an on-air contributor, frequently appearing on the cable news giant.

Hugh Hewitt is one of the nation’s leading bloggers and a genuine media revolutionary. He brings that expertise, his wit and what The New Yorker magazine calls his “amiable but relentless manner” to his nationally syndicated show each day.

When Dr. Sebastian Gorka was growing up, he listened to talk radio under his pillow with a transistor radio, dreaming that one day he would be behind the microphone. Beginning New Year’s Day 2019, he got his wish. Gorka now hosts America First every weekday afternoon 3 to 6pm ET. Gorka’s unique story works well on the radio. He is national security analyst for the Fox News Channel and author of two books: "Why We Fight" and "Defeating Jihad." His latest book releasing this fall is “War For America’s Soul.” He is uniquely qualified to fight the culture war and stand up for what is great about America, his adopted home country.

Broadcasting from his home station of KRLA in Los Angeles, the Dennis Prager Show is heard across the country. Everything in life – from politics to religion to relationships – is grist for Dennis’ mill. If it’s interesting, if it affects your life, then Dennis will be talking about it – with passion, humor, insight and wisdom.

Sean Hannity is a conservative radio and television host, and one of the original primetime hosts on the Fox News Channel, where he has appeared since 1996. Sean Hannity began his radio career at a college station in California, before moving on to markets in the Southeast and New York. Today, he’s one of the most listened to on-air voices. Hannity’s radio program went into national syndication on September 10, 2001, and airs on more than 500 stations. Talkers Magazine estimates Hannity’s weekly radio audience at 13.5 million. In 1996 he was hired as one of the original hosts on Fox News Channel. As host of several popular Fox programs, Hannity has become the highest-paid news anchor on television.

Michelle Malkin is a mother, wife, blogger, conservative syndicated columnist, longtime cable TV news commentator, and best-selling author of six books. She started her newspaper journalism career at the Los Angeles Daily News in 1992, moved to the Seattle Times in 1995, and has been penning nationally syndicated newspaper columns for Creators Syndicate since 1999. She is founder of conservative Internet start-ups Hot Air and Twitchy.com. Malkin has received numerous awards for her investigative journalism, including the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) national award for outstanding service for the cause of governmental ethics and leadership (1998), the Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Award for Investigative Journalism (2006), the Heritage Foundation and Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity's Breitbart Award for Excellence in Journalism (2013), the Center for Immigration Studies' Eugene Katz Award for Excellence in the Coverage of Immigration Award (2016), and the Manhattan Film Festival's Film Heals Award (2018). Married for 26 years and the mother of two teenage children, she lives with her family in Colorado. Follow her at michellemalkin.com. (Photo reprinted with kind permission from Peter Duke Photography.)

Sponsored by:

A Prayer for Peace around the World This Christmas - Your Daily Prayer - December 3

Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

your daily prayer devotional art


A Prayer for Peace around the World This Christmas
By Amanda Idleman

Bible Reading
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” - Matthew 5:9

Listen or Read Below:

As we embrace the joy and merriment of the holiday season, it’s important that we not forget that many enter these months with no peace. Either their country is being terrorized by conflicts or their hearts are in turmoil as they grapple with discord in their own lives. No matter what, we need God’s peace that surpasses all understanding in order to take in the beauty of Christmas fully.

In Matthew 5:9, Jesus calls us to be peacemakers, meaning we are to be the ones who help bridge the gap when a need is in front of us. Being a peacemaker looks like being the first to apologize when an offense occurs. Additionally it means we can be prayer warriors for people and places in our world that are in conflict. We may not be able to solve the conflict others are caught in, but we do have the power to intercede on their behalf, asking God of the Heavenly Armies to step in and offer peace, comfort, and protection. 

When we gaze at sorrow, chaos, and loss, it’s helpful to remember that We know God is able to do abundantly more than we could ever ask, think, or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). With this in mind, we can believe with absolute faith that God can change hearts, minds, and circumstances. As we see evil around us and feel defeated, we must consider that our God, the one true God, is greater than the powers of darkness that are at work in our world. By grace, He is a light bringer to Earth, where the darkness reigns. 

It’s God’s people, his sons and daughters, that are called to partner with God’s great mission to pierce the darkness. His blessings flow when we become a part of God’s peace on Earth. This Christmas, let’s not forget God’s plan to bring goodwill to men. We can be so thankful for his redemption for Earth and its inhabitants (Luke 2:14). Consider this Christmas, what issue grieves your heart the most? Is it a personal loss that has robbed your peace? Is it a loved one stuck in the darkness of addiction? Are you grieved by the warfare and turmoil across the world where needless loss is occurring? Do you find your heart broken by those who are separated from their families due to neglect and abuse in foster care? 

Choose the things that weigh heavy on you, and begin to pray against the darkness this holiday. Write out your prayers and make it a part of your advent ritual to pray for those who are stuck in dark places this year. The world changes because of the faithful and diligent prayers of the saints! Don’t underestimate your value in the Kingdom of Heaven. As we pray over the brokenhearted, God will expand our view this holiday season. Christmas is less about fancy gifts, dinners, dresses, and desserts. The message of Christmas is that God saw a way to bring hope to a lost and dying world. Jesus came to Earth for the lost, broken, down-on-their-luck, least of these! As Christ's followers, we must also be FOR those who are in need, not content to live comfortably and blind to the spiritual war going on around us. 

Let’s Pray:

Dear God, we thank you that you are greater than the evil one. You have power to defeat sin and death. We can live bold and fearless lives thanks to the gift of the Holy Spirit we have access to every day. Today, we ask that you bring peace around the world this Christmas. Where there is discord, bring harmony. Where there is loss, bring comfort. Where there is fear, bring calm. Breathe fresh wind of hope into the lives of those who feel hopeless. Open the eyes of the lost to see you and your beauty even in their brokenness. Bring a fresh wind of revival to our city, state, nation, and world. Would you receive all the glory and honor for your every gracious gift of peace here on Earth? Amen.

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Sami Sert

Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is encouraging others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for Your Nightly Prayer, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, Your Daily Prayer, and more. She has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.comBiblestudytools.com, and Christianity.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God's Heart of Love for Mommas, alongside her husband’s companion devotional, Shepherd. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram.

Related Resource: What If God’s Heart Toward You Is Kinder Than You Think?

In this episode of Talk About That, you will laugh along with stories about children’s books, volleyball mornings, St. Patrick’s Day, and even the questionable legacy of the Power Team, but underneath the humor is a thoughtful conversation about one of the deepest questions of faith: how God truly sees us. John and Jonnie reflect on weakness, mercy, and the struggle many believers feel in accepting that God is not only patient with them, but genuinely pleased to call them His own. It’s an honest, encouraging reminder that our relationship with God is not built on performance, perfection, or “having it all together,” but on His love, grace, and fatherly delight in His children. You'll come away challenged to see yourself less through the lens of self-criticism and more through the steady, compassionate eyes of a God who knows you fully, loves you deeply, and may just be rooting for you more than you realize. If you laughed out loud listening to this episode, be sure to follow Talk About That on Apple and Spotify!

 

Salem News Channel Today

Sponsored Links

On Air & Up Next

See the Full Program Guide