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| Rev. Omolola Omoteso Famuyiwa, DMin. |
In 2016 following the transition of my beloved and the drama orchestrated by his family that almost engulfed me, I had one key prayer point - Lord Grant me PEACE. I prayed this point in tranquility and in tears.
I thought of seeing Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye but I did NOTHING to make it happen; my home was in Gid and I never had the tradition of running after men or women of God.
But the Holy Spirit strategically mapped the path through me humbly carrying the bag of a woman of God and just following as her cadre of pastors were called to see Pastor Adeboye. By the time she realised I was still with her, clutching to her bag, I was already at the border office and I made my demand. She responded with a sigh, You have asked a hard thing but let me go and ask. As she was going in to make the request after her own group meeting, I stepped right in, courageously. There was no turning back now.
The man known as Daddy G.O. who I call in my mind Daddy GO, prayed with the empathy only a divinely ordained father could have mustered after hearing that the year claimed not one but two beloved ones closest to my heart. One thing I picked and held on to in his short but soul lifting prayer was, Lord Grant her peace.
Last Tuesday we had a review of our year with 5 simple questions
1. What were your goals or resolutio. when 2025 began
2. Which of the goals did you achieve and why/how
3. Which are you YET to achieve and why
4. What will you do to ensure you meet or achieve the goals yet to be achieved
5. If you know you have struggled with a particular goal, share your struggle so members can share tips with you
One of our graced sisters mentioned that when 2025 began she was NOT on speaking terms with family members due to land issues but she happily announced that she chose to pursue peace and the Holy Spirit helped her to turn the situation around; she is now reconcilled. I could hear peace and satisfaction in her voice. How so beautiful!
Another graced sister shared that she pursued and achieved peace and achieved a better relationship with the Holy Spirit. Neat!
One sister who had shared testimonies of her daughter's admission was attracted to the goal of reconciliation and peace that she in high expectation made pursuing peace that leads to reconciliation with family members her own goal. This for me is beautiful ministry when vulnerability leads to victory for us all.
I went on to reiterate that pursuing peace is great but we must protect the peace we arrive at. Those who have lost their peace have an agenda to scatter the peace we achieved. We must guide and guard our peace intentionally with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Beloved sisters, the year is YET to end. Among all your goals and getting, I urge you to pursue peace and trust the Holy Spirit to protect peace.
If I will give you the gift of one word today, the second to the last Sunday of 2025, it is PEACE. Dearly beloved
Pursue PEACE
Embrace PEACE
Anchor PEACE
Celebrate PEACE
Encourage PEACE
You have it right there, the acronym for PEACE given to me by the Holy Spirit. I sought the help of AI for another word for the A but it had none better than ANCHOR.
I urge you to become the Peace Ambassador in your heart, home and homeland after the order in Romans 12:18 - If it is possible, as far as it depends or relies on you, live or be at peace with everyone; all humans!
Matthew 5:9 tells us that peacemakers or peace initiators are blessed because they will be called children of God. When you are peaceful even unbelievers see God in you.
These verses capture the essence of pursuing, embracing, anchoring, celebrating and encouraging peace. GOD The Father embodies peace.
Psalm 34:14 encourage us as believers to actively choose righteousness and peace - Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Peace may sound intangible but you know it when you have it; nothing bothers or stresses you anymore. There is money, praise God, there is no money, praise God.
I spoke to a woman whose grandchild is dealing with autism, her state of worry and anxiety was at an all time high. If she does NOT already have blood pressure issues, you may land right there. She has abandoned her own aspiration to worry about a condition she can do little about beyond praying, encouraging, affirming, counselling and embracing the parents and the child, in the knowledge that God does NOT create damaged children; situation damage the minds or bodies and God in His Infinite Mercies can fix this. Plus there are professionals gifted to help them. I counselled her and offered to link her to a professional in the field that I recently met but the next day she went right back to weeping! As I always say, ti ekun ana ba ba oju je, ki la ma fi ri ayo ni owuro! If the weeping of yesterday damages the eyes, what will we use to see the joy in the morning!
I encourage you to affirm loud and cl3ar:
I have PEACE.
I am a woman of peace.
I accept the peace of God that passeth all understanding into my heart, home and homeland!
Brethren, I anchor the peace I achieved on God and I encourage you to do the same. No one will be in your face or space 24 hours in a day. Whether married or not, no human can be in your heart or mind except you create room or mansion for them there so PLEASE FOR PEACE SAKE, LET PEOPLE OR THINGS THAT CREATE OFFENCE GO SO YOUR PEACE IS ESTABLISHED.
Peace steadies and balances the soul. Peace is the stabiliser your heart needs and the security that holds your mind firm through stress and storm.
Psalm 107:30 captures a moment of relief and joy after a terrifying experience. The verse speaks of sailors who, after enduring a fierce storm, finally see the waters calm down. The phrase “they were glad” highlights the deep sense of gratitude and relief they felt once God intervened. God calmed the storm and safely guided them to their desired destination. This should be your goal.
No one calls anyone resilient until we have won peacefully. If you win and your home is scattered, you have NOT won. If you win and you lose your child, you have NOT won.
As the year ends I, Omolola affirm that I will -
Pursue peace with God as my HELPER.
Embrace peace and treasure the achievement
Anchor peace on God The Maker of all good things
Celebrate peace in me and around me
Encourage peace in as much as it lies with me
Ire nko?
Ire o. Ire kabiti!
