In my efforts to be more intentional about intercessory prayer, I have found that there is a common theme that continues to come up in my prayers. As I take time to reach out to God on behalf of others, I am often prompted to pray that God’s peace would enter into their hearts. It is an interesting reality that I am discovering, that many of the people I know are in great need of a strong dose of peace. The peace they long for is not so much the absence of external conflict. The peace they need has more to do with the battle’s they are facing with worry or fear over their circumstances. Perhaps they have emotional crises that have blind-sided them. For others, it is difficult decisions they must make that are weighing heavily on them. Others still, have relational stresses that they are confused about how to address. Whatever the details, life, it seems has a way of bombarding us with issues and circumstances that rob us of God’s peace. For me personally, it seems, just when I overcome one hurdle and am getting ready to relax for bit, another obstacle presents itself in clear view. In this life, as scripture says, there will be trouble. We can’t avoid it, and we probably shouldn’t be surprised when trouble comes our way. (This often just makes the problem worse)
So what do we do? First off, we must face our problems head on. As much as we might want to run from our problems, they aren’t going away simply by pretending they don’t exist. In fact, just the opposite is typically the case. When you turn your back on a stray dog and start running in the other direction, you only encourage his resolve to run you down. If you face him directly, however, he will often back down and cower at your willingness to face him. This works with most of our problems as well. We must face our problems, look them in the eye, and call them out. When we do this, the issue tends to lose its power.
After, we turn and face our issues, then what? What about God’s peace?
Ah yes, God’s peace. Something we are all looking for. God’s peace is not something we can attain directly. It comes to us as a gift. His peace comes to us as we let go of the cares of life and release them to him. Now believe me, that last sentence was easier for me to write than it is to practice. Afterall, if I don’t try to take my life by the horns, it’s going to get out of control, right? We can’t be letting that happen. Well actually, just the opposite is true. Listen to these words from scripture:
“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”–Philippians 4:6-7
Isn’t that incredible!? When worries, concerns, and the stresses of life come at us we can face them directly and offer them up to God as a prayer. We don’t have to handle them on our own. We have a God who desperately wants to help us walk through life. He knows we will have rough spots we must navigate, and he wants to help us do that, but we have to let him. We must ask him. We must pray. And when we do, we have this promise straight from him, that His peace will come in and reign in our hearts. Have you had this experience? I have, and I am seeing such a need to pray this prayer for so many others who I encounter each week. Many are losing grasp of the peace of God which passes all understanding. Peace that can reign in our hearts in spite of our circumstances. Peace that comes to us as a gift. Peace that comes to us as we release our burdens and worries to God and trust him for our life rather than our own effort and will.
I pray today, that God’s peace will come into your heart in a powerful way!
Dave for Wellspring C 2008
