May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.   (1 Corinthians 1:3)

Seventeen times in Scripture, the writers of the epistles bless their readers with these two virtues:  Grace and Peace. When we look at the deeper root meanings of these words, we see that they are comprehensive blessings that contain everything we could ever look for or long for!

Grace – that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, and all that is lovely.

Peace – sense of security, safety, prosperity, felicity, and all that is harmonious.

Father,

Grace and peace are two things that I have searched for but haven’t found apart from you. I seldom see them on the covers of magazines. I hardly ever see them displayed on television. Politicians rarely exude them. Fame and fortune can’t buy them. They are only found in You. These two virtues were so very important to Paul and Peter and John when they wrote to believers; they certainly must have learned them first-hand from you, the Source of Grace and the Prince of Peace. Today, I receive this blessing that is bestowed on me in Your Word. I receive Grace – supernatural favor from God in every area of my life, and I receive Peace – security, confidence, sufficiency, and deep felicity in my soul. Thank You for offering these aspects of Your character to me. Thank You for transforming me into a person that freely gives grace and peace to everyone I meet, deserving or not. For I am so very undeserving myself. 

Amen