A Prayer to Remember Peace
By Victoria Riollano
"Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." – John 14:27
Peace doesn't always come easy. Over the last few months, there have been relentless attacks against my peace. It started with an ugly cry in the middle of Walmart during Christmas when I received difficult news about a dear friend. Then, there was the unexpected foot surgery followed by a household stricken with an illness that led to multiple doctor's visits. And let's not forget accidentally serving my husband his greatest food allergy! It seems that there have been daily occurrences of unexpected events, from financial strain to frustrated friends or simply feeling overwhelmed by the demands of everyday life. Needless to say, my nights have been restless, and I wondered when God would send needed relief. Sometimes, it's not major life crises that cripple you but daily woes that make you feel like you can't catch your breath. These moments can cause even the most devout Christian to struggle with finding peace.
Yet, the Bible is full of verses that implore us to have peace, no matter the circumstance. In John 16, after sharing of His coming death, Jesus tells His followers to have peace because He has overcome the world. In his letter to the church of Phillipi, Paul is imprisoned yet still implores the church to pray when they feel anxious. The Lord also spoke to Joshua and reminded him not to be afraid but to know that God is with him. Yet, the verse in Isaiah 26:3 has spoken to me the most in moments of frustration...
"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."
This verse is a powerful promise that those who keep their mind on the Lord will walk in peace. Peace is not an outward action. Peace is not just feeling calm in turbulent times. Peace is what happens when we make the choice to rest in God and not fear. The truth is, I have rested in fear many times in my life. There are nights where I toss and turn over a situation, considering every possible scenario and how I can best fix "it." In those moments, I succumb to letting fear be my default setting instead of peace. I believe the Lord wants to encourage us to trust Him again and again. To trust him when the little nuances of life make us flustered and when the major tragedies strike.
My prayer for you today is that you know that His promise of peace was not just for those in biblical times but for us now. We can have a steady mind even when things are difficult. I want to encourage you to pray and seek God when find yourself resting in fear. Ask the Lord to show you a scripture that will encourage your soul to trust again. Pray that God would replace the defeating thoughts of the enemy with the victorious thoughts that come straight from the Word of God. May you find rest and peace that surpasses all understanding in the days to come.
Let's pray:
Lord, I thank you for the promise of peace. At times, life can feel overwhelming, and I find myself anxious. Lord, help me to lean closer to you when thoughts of defeat and frustration overwhelm me. I pray that my thoughts will line up with your many promises for me. Please show me how to search your Word and receive each word you have for me. Lord, help me to remember that I am loved and that you are with me. I pray against every thought that tells me otherwise. I trust you, Lord, that every trial will work out for my good and your glory.
Father, help me not to question your goodness when tough times come. Finally, teach me how to be resilient when trials come. Help me fight the enemy in faith and with your Word. Show me how to rely on you and keep my mind focused on you. I pray for the peace that surpasses all understanding to cover my heart and guide my choices. In Jesus' name, amen.
In closing, "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all." – 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/pixdeluxe
Victoria Riollano is a mother of eight, veteran spouse, Psychology professor, and doctoral student, Victoria has learned the art of balancing family and accomplishing God's ultimate purpose for her life. Victoria holds an MA in Child Psychology and is the author of two books- The Victory Walk: A 21-Day Devotional on Living a Victorious Life and Warrior Mother: Equipping Your Heart to Fight for Your Family's Faith. When she is not writing, you can find her serving in her local church as the pastor's wife, worship leader, and youth pastor. Ultimately, she desires to empower women to live a life of victory, hope, and love. You can connect with Victoria at www.victoryspeaks.org and on social media at Victory Speaks by Victoria Riollano on Facebook and @myvictoryspeaks on Instagram.
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