The first thing both Mary and the Angel of Peace said to the shepherd children in Fatima was not to be afraid. Scripture has dozens of references that also tell us not to be afraid or worry. When we are doing God’s work, God has us covered.

Worry and fear go hand-in-hand. We worry about what we fear, and we fear what we do not know or understand. These misunderstandings are often a cause of jealousy and tension. Such tension can escalate into vengeance, violence, and war.

Scripture tells us to replace that worry with prayer. “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray” (Phillippians 4:7).

Peace comes with entrusting our worries to God. When we pray, “Thy will be done,” we let go of our fears and concerns and allow God to handle everything. And God can do miraculous things.

(See more of this in Fatima at 100. Fatima Today.

October 13, 2017, is the 100th anniversary of Mary’s message of peace and her apparitions in Fatima, Portugal.)