You're listening to Encounter, a simple daily podcast of sacred and mindful Christian meditations.

You can listen here, but if you would enjoy being able to search in favorite, forward in journal as you listen,

I encourage you to download the

Encountering Peace mobile app where all the meditations are free, as they should be.

For many of us, stress is an accepted part of daily life.

Is it yours?

Maybe it's your to-do list, or a pressure-packed work schedule,

maybe an over-committed family calendar,

or just endless bills in your mailbox,

or probably all of that. Sometimes, even the domestic and international news that seems to change by the minute is enough to send us into a hole to hide.

This meditation from 2 Corinthians chapter 5 will hopefully be a counter to the stress of the world by becoming a calm place of hope in the presence of God, a reminder of God's

offer of peace.

So to begin your meditation, just settle into a place of quiet reflection for a moment.

Disconnect from your phone and video and social media, all distractions if possible.

We will be together for about 15 minutes, but let me mind the time

for you. As you settle, listen and respond to this prayer from Romans chapter 5. Just respond

softly with, Lord God, be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

By faith, we have been made acceptable to God.

Respond, Lord God, be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

And now because of our Lord Jesus Christ, we live at peace with God.

Respond, Lord God, be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

So we are happy as we look forward to sharing in the glory of God.

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