Remembrance Sunday: Prayer Transforms Us Into Peace-Makers

And with a twinkle in his eye Stephen said, “Bearing in mind we’re here at the Forge Pub it may seem odd to talk about the need for each of us to get pickled!”

When Jesus retreated to a quiet place he was refreshing and renewing himself in God’s presence in such a way that his whole life became a prayer; and he himself embodied the life of God in every way.

In prayer God changes us. Through our relationship with God in Jesus Christ in prayer God changes everything. So if a married couple in danger of being torn apart come before God and make their lives a prayer; if they together get pickled, everything will change. The peace of Messiah Jesus will come into and will change a marriage at war, or a family relationship at war, a friendship that has gone sour.

Of course if only one of the warring factions gets pickled conflict may not cease but it will be changed.

Imagine if the leaders of countries met together, got pickled together in God, and were reconciled. Is that just a crazy dream? No! It’s what God wants for us!

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16).

If the attitude of one party is changed in a conflict that could in itself make all the difference; sometimes it does; but not always. When a conflict continues because the other party remains belligerent or unforgiving we have godly wisdom from St. Paul who says this: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18).

If the attitude of both warring parties is changed, pickled, transformed by the presence of God and the mind of Christ then peace will ensue. I might be a common onion and you’re a red onion but if we’re both pickled by God then we’re both changed by him.

Don’t misunderstand me but let’s get pickled together!

Earlier in in the letter of James we read: “The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good-fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness” (James 3: 17-18).

“Is any one of you in trouble? He [or she] should pray” (James 5:13). Nations, Churches, families, friends, neighbours – are any of you in trouble? You should pray. Christian prayer in the presence of the father of the Lord Jesus Christ changes everything, starting with you and me. We’ve now had two monthly prayer gatherings on the 1st Wednesday of the month and more than anything I observe God changing us. More people are gathering on Sundays at 9.30 a.m. in the crèche room to pray. God is changing us. If we want onions pickled we have to put them in the vinegar!

This talk has not come out the way I thought it would. When I was organising Bible Readings for November a few months ago I imagined this talk being quite different – but as I’ve been pickled in God these last few days and as I’ve allowed this talk to get pickled I hope, pray and believe God has changed it and changed me in the process.