O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom:  Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. (BCP 2019)

 This prayer contains many important ideas.  God loves peace. Our eternal life with God will be one of peace and concord.  But how will this happen, given that people have conflicting ideas and interests that create disputes?  The answer is to humble ourselves and follow God.  Human dictators oppress their subjects, but God is a faithful and loving ruler.  Serving God is perfect freedom to become what God made us to be.  Being servants of God does not mean that our lives will be trouble-free; in this as in everything Jesus is our model.  But we ask God to protect us from our enemies, knowing that no matter what happens to us, God’s love lasts forever.  Jesus was killed on earth, but was raised from the dead and now reigns as king of kings and lord of lords.  He is our mighty savior and so we need not fear.