The Language of Peace

Now that you know peace in two different languages, I’d like to teach you what PEACE looks like in American Sign Language. It’s a three-part sign, so watch closely! (See the illustration at the bottom of the sermon.)

First put one hand on top of the other hand, clasped together, like this!

Next switch your hands around.

Now push both of your hands down and away from you.

That’s the sign for “PEACE”. Let’s do the whole sign together. That’s Great!

This sign really reminds me of what God tells us about peace in Philippians 4:6-7. Read passage.

When I start the sign for peace it feels like I’m worried, I’m wringing my hands, they are not settled down, are they? But God says, Don’t be anxious about anything! He doesn’t want us to worry about things in our families, or school, or in the world. (Hold hands still together.) God tells us to pray to Him and let Him know what’s bothering us. Then He can give us peace. "Do final sign motion." This final part of the sign is like God smoothing out and taking away all our worries. We won’t even be able to understand it, but He will protect us from being afraid, from being worried, and He will calm us down. So the next time you are worried or afraid, what are you going to do? Pray and ask God to help you, and He will calm you down and give you a beautiful feeling of Peace!

Let’s fold our hands now and pray! Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for giving us peace when we are afraid. Help us to have “SHALOM” all the time. IN Jesus’ Name we pray, AMEN.

Instructions for Signing "Peace"

The hands are clasped together. They are then reversed so that the other hand is on top; both hands are then opened and move downward and outward assuming the "five" hand position.