Prayer Week 32: Inner Peace

We all want peace. No one really enjoys conflict, especially not when it involves or affects them in some way. We want peace in our homes, communities, countries and lives. That is what we were made for; to live in peace, at peace with everyone. Conflict is the result of sin, whether directly or indirectly. Many cultures have different views on where peace comes from and how to get it. How can we have peace?

 

Psalm 16:8-9 New American Standard Bible 1995

I have set the Lord continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will dwell securely.

Isaiah 26:3 New American Standard Bible 1995

The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace,
Because he trusts in You.

Isaiah 9:6-7a New American Standard Bible 1995

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,

John 14:27 New American Standard Bible 1995

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

John 16:33 New American Standard Bible 1995

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.

 

True, lasting peace comes only from God, from trusting, relying and resting solely in Him. As I said the ultimate reason we do not have peace is because of sin. Our sinful attitudes and choices cause conflict with others, but it also causes discord with God. Even if we had no conflict with another person and lived in physical peace, we would still not have “inner peace” because we would be at odds with God. That is why Jesus died on the cross, to pay the penalty for our sins so He could bridge the gap between us and God, so that we could finally be at peace with Him.

 

It is only through believing and trusting in Him that we can have that inner peace the secular world so longs for. No amount of emptying our minds or positive thinking will give it to us. And no amount of trying to be good and making peace with others will work if we do not have the Prince of Peace dwelling within us. We can only know peace by living in His righteousness (ceasing to strive to be perfect on our own), living according to His commands (which will produce the best outcome in our dealings with others), and trusting Him completely with our lives and circumstances.

 

The people I know who have the most inner turmoil are those who, instead of trusting God with what is going on, try to manipulate people and circumstances, who try to maintain control over their lives. When this inevitable fails they are filled with worry and anxiety because life is out of their control. Unfortunately, that is the reality of life. No one truly has control over anything, but God has control of everything. If we trust in Him, that He is sovereign (completely in control of everything) and also completely good and loving, we will have peace. We need to trust that God has the power to do everything and that He is working for our good and His glory. We need to trust in His character, that He is a completely and perfectly just, loving, merciful God. We really cannot trust Him truly if we do not believe these things.

 

This week as you pray, first repent and ask Him to forgive your sins, for we cannot have anything from God, least of all peace, if we are at odds with Him. Then ask Him to help you trust in Him and fill you with His peace. Let go of what is worrying you, what you are trying to control and give it to Him. Feel His peace flow through you. Begin each morning by consciously trusting in Him and relaxing in His arms. Breathe deeply and slowly, and as you breathe out let that peace fill you. Feel your body relax. Enjoy the feeling of peace and restfulness that comes from trusting completely in God. Let thoughts of Him fill your mind and saturate you with His peace.

 Prayer points taken from Praying Through Adversity by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.

Advent: Reason to Rejoice

Why should we celebrate and rejoice? There is so much to be fearful and frustrated about, so much bad is happening. What good is there to celebrate? It may not seem like the first coming really accomplished much, or made a dent in the evils of society.

 

I Heard the Bells

Where do we turn when all hope seems lost? What joy and peace are to be found in the midst of great suffering and tragedy? Are not the cheery tunes of Christmas a mockery of the heart’s despair? These are questions many ask as Christmas approaches. While it is a fun and joyous season for some, it is a time of pain and grief for others, none more so than Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who penned this poem-turned-hymn in the midst of despair and grief.

The Peace of Contentment

The hymn “It Is Well” by Horatio G Spafford has been one of my favorites. I heard the story behind the song when I was young and it has always inspired me. In the midst of horrible circumstances, the writer continued to trust God. Even though he tragically lost all of his children, he had peace that God is in control and He is good. He didn’t know why any of the horrible things happened, but he had faith that God would work it all out for good. That is how I want my life to be, defined by the quiet trust and peace that our loving God is in control.

Shoes of Peace

Security is a big topic in our society. A lot is invested in the best home security systems, stable stocks and businesses, reliable ventures and partnerships. One of the biggest issues in security is identity theft. It can happen easily, to anyone. No one is safe from it. If a person’s identity is stolen they could lose everything. A person’s identity is directly tied to their security. So what is our spiritual security?

The Fruit of Peace

Peace is a popular topic in our world. People talk about having peace on earth, peace between nations, world peace. They flash the “peace” symbol to show they are in favor of peace or to encourage others to seek peace. But the world’s peace falls short. The world’s peace is merely a lack of conflict. But in a world of sinful beings, there will always be conflict. No two humans can be in any kind of relationship without reaching conflict at some point. We cannot expect a lack of conflict among countries and societies when there is no lack of conflict within our families and even within ourselves. That, I think, points to true peace and the cause of all conflict.

Can There Be Peace In The Storm?

Why do the innocent suffer? What is the cause and purpose of natural disasters? What is the meaning of senseless, random tragedy? Who is in control? How can a good God allow such atrocities? How can we have peace when the world crumbles around us? ... 

These are questions that many have asked and few can answer. Unfortunately, we may never know the answers to some of these questions. Some tragedies cannot be explained short of an answer from God Himself, like why Hurricane Harvey, why did my babies die for no reason, why did my cousin’s wife die on her 37^th birthday with no cause leaving two children, etc? Even if we could find answers to them, they would provide little comfort to the broken. The truth may provide closure, but it does not heal the wound. The questions we can answer are the ones on which we need to focus: where is God in all this, and how do we find peace in the midst of chaos?

Reprieve From Anxiety

How do you gain peace? The holiday season seems to be full of anxiety and stress. If only there were a secret formula to get rid of anxiety...Actually there is, and it's not a secret. God commands us to not worry, but He also tells us how to do that. The following is an excerpt from my recently published book about trading anxiety for peace...

True Peace

Isaiah 26:3New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace,
Because he trusts in You.

Peace comes from God because He is the Sovereign Lord of all creation. He is in control of everything and is more powerful than all.

There Is Always a Waiting Period

What I've Learned in Marriage-12-Everything good requires waiting. You have to wait to grow up, graduate from high school and then college. You have to wait to meet the person you will marry, and then wait (at least a little while) before you are married. When you get pregnant, you have to wait around 9 months before the baby is born. We acquire nothing without waiting, but why?