A prayer for peace in relationships by Victoria Realano, read by Lea Martin.

If it's possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone, Romans 12-18.

I've always considered myself a friendly person. I'm the friend who texts when I haven't seen you in a while,

and sets up meals when someone's in need. I do all I can to be loyal and try to never be hurtful

to those I care about. At first glance, living at peace with everyone seems like an easy ask.

Yet as I reflect on my personal journey with people, I'm confronted with the betrayals,

the heartaches and even rejections that have brought more hurt than I could imagine.

I've asked myself, how can I live at peace with the friend who talked poorly about me when I wasn't

around? How can I be at peace with the family member who only talks to me when they need something?

How can I be at peace with a person who treats those I love with disdain?

It's both great intention and a choice to forgive that helped me overcome these personal battles.

However, living at peace is more than just being cordial when encountering the person you're

irritable with. It took time and praying for those who hurt me to move forward from the pain

experienced. When I took a moment to study the Greek word for peace found in Romans 12-18,

I learned this word means to cultivate harmony. To cultivate means to intentionally prepare and

develop. In other words, living at peace requires not just kind words or fake smiles but

action that can purposely create a harmonious atmosphere for all.

As easy as it might sound, this can be the hardest thing to do when our heart is truly broken.

I can imagine that even Jesus could relate to the pain of not being treated as he deserved.

He was rejected as he healed the crowd, betrayed by his friend, and even put to death by his own

people. Yet in his dying breath, his words in Luke 32-34 remind us of what it looks like to love

beyond the pain. Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they're doing.

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