In case you haven't noticed, our country is in not-so-good shape. Good, innocent people are being killed, discriminated against and being denied the rights that our country was based on. Regardless of your beliefs or religion, now is the time to take to prayer and meditation, whatever that means to you. When it seems like the world is being flipped upside down, these are the verses I pursue, and I hope they can grant you some peace as well. I will be using the New Living Translation because that is the version I happen to prefer, just as a disclaimer. Typically, with my list-type articles, I'd make some additional commentary on the things that I share, but I don't feel that is necessary here. However, I do invite you to go to the passages referenced and read the full chapter (context always helps), just reading will help you more than you know. Violence has gotten us less than nowhere, and now it is time to pray, meditate, reflect, and think about how we, as a nation, can find our balance again.
"For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help." Psalms 22:24
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"You light a lamp for me. The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness. In your strength I can crush any army, with my God I can scale any wall." Psalms 18:28-29
"Death is swallowed up in victory. Oh death, where is your victory? Oh death, where is your sting?" 1 Corinthians 15:54-55
"I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid." John 14:27
"Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close behind me. Your rod and your staff comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings." Psalms 23:4-5
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7
"Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later." Romans 8:18
"Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other." Romans 12:9-10
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6
"Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love." 1 John 4:7-8
"I lie in the dust; revive me by Your word. I told You my plans, and You answered. Now teach me Your decrees. Help me understand the meaning of Your commandments, and I will meditate on Your wonderful deeds. I weep with sorrow; encourage me by Your word." Psalms 119:25-28
"If you repay good with evil, evil will never leave your house. Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out. Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent — both are detestable to the Lord." Proverbs 17:13-15
"Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old, sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him. In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us." Colossians 3:9-11
"Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don't say, 'come back tomorrow, and then I'll help you.' Don't plot harm against your neighbor, for those who live nearby trust you. Don't pick a fight without reason, when no one has done you harm." Proverbs 3:27-30
"If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it." 1 Corinthians 12:26-27
"But we don't need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another." 1 Thessalonians 4:9
"Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near." Hebrews 10:23-25
"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." John 16:33
"As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light." Micah 7:7-8
"The Lord is my light and my salvation--so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident." Psalms 27:1-3
Note: Italicized text identifies Jesus' direct dialogue.
