Morning by Morning, June 18, 2026 — “Peace and Safety” or “Sudden Destruction”? We Pray for True Peace.
Good morning, Lord Jesus. I look to You and listen for Your leading, as I abide in You and You abide in me—now in these first moments of morning prayer and then throughout the moments of my day (John 15:4). …
My thoughts are drawn to the words of the Memorandum of Understanding signed yesterday concerning a declaration of peace and ending the war in the Middle East. Though my heart joins with all those in the world who desire a true and lasting peace, at the same time, this Prophetic Word from Your Scripture also comes to mind:
“But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-10).
We pray for true peace. We pray this Memorandum of Understanding was negotiated in good faith and will be carried out in good faith. But as we “trust and verify,” let our trust be in You and not merely the words of any man or government. You alone are the only Source of true peace, for You alone are the “Prince of Peace”—our “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). As You said long ago, You continue to say today to all who have ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart to receive:
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Through intercession and prayer, as “sons of light and sons of day” in the Body of Christ, sons and daughters of God who are led by the Holy Spirit of God (Romans 8:14), “let us watch and be sober” without any false illusions about the ultimate plans of the spiritual “thief” who “does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10). “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44).
We pray against his planned “destruction” and his motives of deception. With spiritual eyes wide open, we take to heart the warning of Your Word against him, to “Be sober, be vigilant; because (our) adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). May we discern the difference between both the coming “destruction” of the enemy toward Your people and the coming “wrath” of God upon Your enemy (1 Thessalonians 5:19).
We remember that our true enemy, the enemy of any true peace, is not merely a man or even a government of human “flesh and blood” but the “spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places,” as we wrestle in prayer and faith and action “against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age” (Ephesians 6:12). Even as we are aware of these Warnings of Your Word, we continue to pray for true and lasting peace, for the cities, nations, and people of this region and all the earth. We pray, as Your Word commands:
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces.’ For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, ‘Peace be within you.’ Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek your good” (Psalm 122:6-9).
As we read this Memorandum of Understanding, let us, above all, seek Your “Spirit of wisdom and understanding” along with “The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:2). Like the “sons of Issachar” let us have “understanding of the times” (1 Chronicles 12:32), as we are led by the Spirit of the Lord (Romans 8:14), as we listen for Your leading to follow You in our words and prayers, in our hearts and actions (John 10:27).
Yes, we join with the hearts of all who truly seek Your true peace. And at the same time, we join with the hearts of all You have called to “watch and be sober” in our intercession with spiritual sensitivity and sharpening discernment for the days we are in and the Day to come. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, may you discern the times with spiritual sensitivity and The Spirit of understanding, to pray in agreement with the Spirit of God for our world and God's true peace that comes from the Prince of Peace, in Jesus' name. God bless you, my friend! And you have a great day!
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Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
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