Finding Peace in the Midst of Turmoil
When anxiety and fear take hold, it’s easy to feel like our situation is hopeless. But as believers, we have a promise from Jesus: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (John 14:27). So, how do we lay hold of this peace when our circumstances and emotions seem to be working against us?
A Prayer of Desperation
In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat finds himself in a desperate situation, facing a powerful army that threatens to destroy his people. His response? A simple yet profound prayer: “We are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chron. 20:12). This humble admission of dependence on God is a powerful reminder that our prayers don’t need to be elaborate or eloquent to be effective.
Getting Real with God
When we’re struggling to find peace, it’s tempting to try to put on a brave face or use fancy language in our prayers. But Jesus warns against this, saying, “Do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words” (Matt. 6:7). Instead, we can come to God with honesty and simplicity, trusting that he knows what we need before we even ask.
The Spirit’s Intercession
One of the most comforting promises in Scripture is that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we don’t know what to pray. As Romans 8:26 says, “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” This means that even when we’re at a loss for words, God is still working on our behalf.
Praying Scripture
So, how do we start praying for peace when we’re feeling overwhelmed? One powerful approach is to pray Scripture back to God. Using the words of the Bible as the content of our prayers can help us stay focused, guard against distraction, and ensure that we’re praying for God’s will to be done. Try starting with a passage like Philippians 4:4-9, which reminds us to rejoice in the Lord, bring our requests to him, and trust in his peace that surpasses all understanding.
Meditating on Peace
The concept of peace is woven throughout Scripture, and there are countless passages that can bring us comfort and guidance when we’re struggling. Try meditating on Psalm 4, which reminds us that God is our safety and security. Or reflect on Colossians 1:15-20, which tells us that in Jesus, all things hold together. These passages can help us recall God’s great promises and trust in his sovereignty over our lives.
A Benediction of Peace
As we seek to experience God’s peace in our lives, let’s remember to pray for others who may be struggling as well. The benediction in 2 Thessalonians 3:16 is a beautiful expression of this: “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.” May we be quick to turn to the Lord and make our needs known, trusting in his faithfulness to bring us peace that surpasses all understanding.
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