The instances of mass murder, hate crimes, and terrorist attacks (many of them being all three) over past few weeks, in fact the past few years have caused many of us to be afraid of being in crowds, going to certain places like shopping malls, even church.  When these things happen we realize that we are not in control of much in our lives and that generates fear. It's at those times we yearn for peace. The kind of peace we had as young children when our parents, grandparents, a guardian, or even social service programs took care of everything.

Shalom the Hebrew word translated as peace, expresses the idea of tranquillity, well-being, restoration, reconciliation with God, which happens through the right relationship with Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace  

Isaiah 9:6 (NLT)6  For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Peace is the freedom from disturbance; it’s quiet and tranquility.  The peace of God that passes all understanding is not just a psychological state of mind; this peace is spiritual peace…the peace of the God of all Creation.   This is the peace of people whose sins are forgiven. The peace that comes from being in a right relationship with Jesus doesn’t depend on everything going well.  

This peace is the opposite of anxiety.   It is the tranquillity that comes when you commit all your cares to God in prayer and don’t worry about them anymore.  You are confident that God can and will do what is best for you.  

This  peace guards you from anxiety, fear, and worry like a sentry guards the entrance to a military installation or the ones who stand guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Washington,  DC.   

I recently started a series of posts sharing prayers for you to pray at those times when  you're having trouble with trust or finding the words to pray above the scary times. It's at those times you want to know the peace of God which passes all understanding.  (For the entire series of prayers click this LINK)
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Here are some scriptures to include in your prayers for peace from God’s Promises for Your Every Need by Jack Countryman  (Emphasis mine). 

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. — Isaiah 26:3

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” — John 14:27

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:6-7

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. — Romans 5:1

Lord, You will establish peace for us, For You have also done all our works in us. — Isaiah 26:12

“For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” — Isaiah 55:12

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33

Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; For the future of that man is peace. — Psalm 37:37

He shall enter into peace; They shall rest in their beds, Each one walking in his uprightness. — Isaiah 57:2

For the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.  — Romans 14:17-19

Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble. — Psalm 119:165

But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. — Psalm 37:11

I will hear what God the Lord will speak, For He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly. — Psalm 85:8

Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. — 2 Corinthians 13:11

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. — Colossians 3:15
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Peace is a gift from God.  We can never earn it. We can strive for it, pray for it, work for it but in the final analysis it’s a gift.  If we accept it as a gift, we can serve Christ knowing that God is pleased with us, and because we have become peacemakers through the filling of  the Holy Spirit, people will be pleased with us too. 

From the very beginning, or at least after man sinned in the Garden of Eden, God promised to do something about all the agitation and distress in our world.  He promised to restore the peace, and He did. He sent the Prince of Peace to come and do what we can’t do for ourselves. Jesus brings true, lasting peace, the kind of peace that all of us are looking for.
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I lead a Bible Study at my church and we are studying the book, Prayer Does It Make A Difference? by Philip Yancey.  In his book Philip explores the intimate place where God and humans meet in Prayer. Polls reveal that 90 percent of people pray. Yet prayer, which should be the most nourishing and uplifting time of the believer’s day, can also be frustrating, confusing, and fraught with mystery. 

One of the mysteries about prayer is why some people are healed and others not healed.  It doesn’t seem to matter how much how much the person or their friends and family pray.  Some people are healed and others not.  

We really can’t explain why some prayers are answered in miraculous fashion, some slowly over time, and some don’t get answered or appear to be answered.  It’s a mystery known only to God and we must always default to Him because we can always count on Him being good, faithful, and loving us no matter what. When it seems that our prayers aren’t answered we should continue to pray because prayer does make a difference.

Checklist for Healing

When you desire and pray for healing ask yourself a series of questions.

1.  Am I expecting a miracle as an entitlement?

God neither protects Christians with a shield of health nor provides a quick, dependable solution to all suffering. Christians populate hospital wards, asylums, and hospices in approximate proportion to the world at large.

2.  Am I using the benefits of God’s “common grace” — the healing built into our bodies and the medical knowledge we have gained?

Studies on faith and healing demonstrate that the best healing takes place when a person lives so that a properly aligned soul and spirit can direct the bodily healing prompted by good medicine. 

The Christian heals because he or she has the kind of body that was designed by God to be equipped to overcome injury and infection. 

The real direction of prayer for the sick and the suffering should be, first to praise God for the wonderful mechanisms of healing and recovery that God has designed and placed in the person’s body, and then to pray that God’s special grace will take hold of his or her whole person and give the ability to use these resources to their fullest advantage; and also that the church will rally round and lay their healing hands on the one who needs support, faith, hope, and love.

3.  Do I wrongly blame God for causing the suffering?

We've all heard Christians say that the reason bad things happen is that it is a punishment from God.  Absolutely not! Look at Job.

4.  Am I prepared for the possibility that physical healing may not take place?

The apostle Paul had the power to heal a man crippled from birth and even raise another from the dead. 

Acts 14:8‭-‬10 CEV In Lystra there was a man who had been born with paralyzed feet and had never been able to walk. The man was listening to Paul speak, when Paul saw that he had faith in Jesus and could be healed. So he looked straight at the man and shouted, “Stand up!” The man jumped up and started walking around.

Acts 20:7‭-‬10 CEV On the first day of the week we met to break bread together. Paul spoke to the people until midnight because he was leaving the next morning. In the upstairs room where we were meeting, there were a lot of lamps. A young man by the name of Eutychus was sitting on a window sill. While Paul was speaking, the young man got very sleepy. Finally, he went to sleep and fell three floors all the way down to the ground. When they picked him up, he was dead.  Paul went down and bent over Eutychus. He took him in his arms and said, “Don't worry! He's alive.”

Yet three times in the New Testament he refers to friends (Epaphroditus, Trophimus, and Timothy) who suffered from a serious illness, not to mention his own ailment.

Philippians 2:25‭-‬30 CEV I think I ought to send my dear friend Epaphroditus back to you. He is a follower and a worker and a soldier of the Lord, just as I am. You sent him to look after me, but now he is eager to see you. He is worried, because you heard he was sick. In fact, he was very sick and almost died. But God was kind to him, and also to me, and he kept me from being burdened down with sorrow.  Now I am more eager than ever to send Epaphroditus back again. You will be glad to see him, and I won't have to worry any longer. Be sure to give him a cheerful welcome, just as people who serve the Lord deserve. He almost died working for Christ, and he risked his own life to do for me what you could not.

2 Timothy 4:20 CEV Erastus stayed at Corinth. Trophimus was sick when I left him at Miletus.

1 Timothy 5:23 CEV Stop drinking only water. Take a little wine to help your stomach trouble and the other illnesses you often have.

One friend he left behind, ill; for another he counseled treatment. We have no record of their physical healing.

Jesus never promised to erase all poverty, all suffering, all human need. ​

​Don't Blame The Sick Comfort Them

Whatever we conclude about physical healing, we must not add to the burden of guilt and sorrow borne by those who do not find healing. 

Many Christians who roll about in wheelchairs, who awake each day to the scarred stumps of amputated limbs, who cope with debility and chronic illness, have prayed for healing. Some have attended healing services, felt a sudden rush of hope, and kneeled for an anointing of oil — yet still they live unhealed. For them, divine healing feels like the cruelest joke of all, a taunting accusation that in spiritual as well as physical health they do not measure up.
                   
Paul wrote God “comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.”

A Prayer for Relief from Pain
By Meg Bucher

“You heard my plea: ‘Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.’” - Lamentations 3:56

Anyone who’s suffered long-term pain can relate to the sentiments of the prophet Jeremiah in today’s verse. God does hear and answer our prayers, but His answers don’t always look the way we want them to, or happen in our time.

We take things for granted until they are taken away. Why does human nature have to be that way? God designed us, and did so perfectly… to need Him. He does give us more than we can handle and He does allow circumstances to bleed out beyond our control (See See That's Not In The Bible - God Will Never Give You More Than You Can Bear).  There’s a lot of life He will withhold the answers to, and we don’t have the capacity to understand even if He did explain it.

Hear God’s voice through the pain, and feel His presence through the frustration. “Don’t be deaf to my call;”Jeremiah pleaded.  When someone we love is in pain, we feel helpless to stop it. 
 
“Bring me relief!” When we are in pain, whether physical, mental, or spiritual, it takes over our focus. It becomes difficult to concentrate on the hope of healing, and hard to let go of what we think that should look and feel like.
 
Hold onto the hand that was nailed to the cross. That hand knows pain like none other. Our hope is in Him.
 
Father, we praise You for Jesus. No one has ever experienced pain like He did for us. Thank You for His sacrifice, which allows us to call out to You for help in full confidence that You hear us and will answer us and heal us. Forgive us for wanting to control what the answers to Your prayers look and feel like and when they happen. Bless us to be strong in Your Word, and rely on You for strength. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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The instances of mass murder, hate crimes, and terrorist attacks (many of them being all three) over past few weeks, in fact the past few years have caused many of us to be afraid of being in crowds, going to certain places like shopping malls, even church.  When these things happen we realize that we are not in control of much in our lives and that generates fear. It's at those times we yearn for peace. The kind of peace we had as young children when our parents, grandparents, a guardian, or even social service programs took care of everything. We didn't 

I recently started a series of posts sharing prayers for you to pray at those times when  you're having trouble with trust or finding the words to pray above the scary times. It's at those times you want to know the peace of God which passes all understanding.  (For the entire series of prayers click this LINK

A Prayer for Peace When You're Overwhelmed

Lord, when my heart is overwhelmed, overwhelm me with Your peace. Lead me to You, my rock. Guide me to Your Word which gives me strength and refuge. Help me not to run to lesser things. Draw me to run to You first. Help me get into the habit of taking my “overwhelmed” and placing it under your will. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ~ Jennifer Rothschild

A Prayer for the Troubled Heart

Dear God, Our world is hurting and broken. We pray for those who have lost loved ones this week, please comfort them in their grief and loss, cover them with your peace and presence, as only your Spirit can do.   We know that in whatever we face, you are our Peace and Refuge, a very present help in times of trouble. Thank you that you remind us throughout your Word, we do not face the storms alone, but you are always with us.  Whispering calm. Speaking peace. Bringing rest to our souls.

We confess our need for you. We ask you to forgive us for trying to figure everything out on our own, for not trusting that you are more than able and powerful to work on our behalf. Forgive us for picking back up what we already determined to lay down at your feet. Give us the ability to trust you more, give us a heart that finds rest in your presence, give us the wisdom to seek peace and pursue it, remembering it’s only to be found in you alone.

Thank you that your yoke is easy and your burden is light. Thank you that you care for us. Thank you that the peace of your loving and strong presence guards and protects our hearts and minds in you. Thank you that we do not have to walk in fear or live in overwhelmed cycles of worry and stress. Thank you for your voice that breaks through the greatest wind and storm swirling around us, and whispers “Peace, be still.” Thank you that you sent your One and Only Son to set us free. In the Mighty Name of Jesus, Amen. ~ Debbie McDaniel

A Prayer for Peace in Hard Times

Lord, when my heart is overwhelmed, overwhelm me with Your peace. Lead me to You, my rock. Guide me to Your Word which gives me strength and refuge. Help me not to run to lesser things. Draw me to run to You first. Help me get into the habit of taking my “overwhelmed” and placing it under your will. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. ~ Lysa Terkeurst

A Prayer for Peace to Transform Your Mind and Life 

Lord, how I long to break free from negative thinking and embrace peace and joy and optimism. I invite You to begin transforming my thought patterns and help me recognize, reject and replace thoughts that are not pleasing to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen. ~ Traci Miles

A Prayer to Trade Worry for Thankfulness

Dear Lord, Sometimes it seems like I take my worries everywhere except to you. I hear people say, “God’s got this!” But how often do I live like I believe it?

I know you hear me, Lord, when I bring my concerns to you. You care about what is going on in my life, and I know you want to give me a clear, sound mind. Forgive me when I allow anxious thoughts to cloud my thinking. Help me take my anxieties to you in every circumstance, believing you will intervene and work out your eternal purposes. Give me a thankful heart—a heart that says, “I am grateful for your lovingkindness to me, Father. I know you will work out your plans for my growth, others’ good, and your glory.” ~ Dawn Wilson

A Prayer of Deliverance

Dear God, I am in trouble. I am weary, worried, and worn out. Not knowing how to pray, I turn to the Psalms and repeat their pleas for my own heart: “O Lord, deliver me! O save me for Your mercies’ sake. Deliver me in Your righteousness. Deliver me from the hand of the enemy. Deliver me from all my troubles. Deliver me from my distress. Deliver me from all my transgressions. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me. I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinks on me. You are my help and deliverer.” You have said, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” I claim that promise now. Father, You know what’s happening in my life, in my family, in my church. You know the webs of worry spinning in my mind. Lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen! ~ Dr. David Jeremiah

I’m sure that we have all, at some time thought that our prayers weren’t even getting out of the room.  There is a saying that "my prayers just hit the ceiling and fall back down". It’s as if God doesn’t hear, or care.  It’s like talking to yourself, nobody's listening. It’s like the times when you’ve done something that may have hurt somebody and they have vowed to not talk to you.  You try talking to them even apologizing and all you get is silence. You keep trying and nothing. It’s frustrating to the point that you stop trying to talk to them. That’s what happens when we pray for something especially something very important to us like health, shelter, resources for life and nothing changes.  It doesn’t mean that we stop praying but we do start to think what difference does it make God isn’t listening or if He is He’s not answering. There was even time Jesus felt that God had abandoned Him and fell silent.  

Matthew 27:45-46 (NKJV)45  Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.46  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" 

He wasn’t the first one to say that.  
 
Psalms 22:1 NKJV My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why  are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning?
 
We know that God is good and loves us, and we know that He is always with us because He said that He would never leave or forsake us;
 
John 3:16 NKJV For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
 
Matthew 28:18‭-‬20 NKJV And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (emphasis mine)
 
Hebrews 13:5‭-‬6 NKJV Let  your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord  is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (emphasis mine)
 
But when we are in the middle of a mess we want to  feel His presence and hear from Him.
 
 We are not alone in feeling like this.  The books of Psalms, Job, Lamentations, talk a lot about people going through difficult circumstances wondering where God was during the tough times.

Psalm 13:1-6 (NKJV)1  How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?2  How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?3  Consider and hear me, O LORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, Lest I sleep the sleep of death;4  Lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed against him"; Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.5  But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.6  I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.
 
Job 23:8-9 (NKJV)8  "Look, I go forward, but He is not there, And backward, but I cannot perceive Him;9  When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; When He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him.
 
Lamentations 3 (entire chapter)
 
Just like when a friend stops speaking to us we often blame ourselves.  “Was it something that I did or said”?  

Rather than dwelling on why God is silent, maybe we should think about what we can learn from His silence.

When we talk to somebody we always want a definitive answer, and that’s what we would like  with God. When we ask God to show us His will, we don’t mean to show us where we can find, or learn Your will, we mean we want a specific sign, like go to this place at this time for this reason.  That could happen but in most cases it won’t.    

In the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, people approached Jesus with a question 183 times. He replied with a direct answer only three times.  Instead, He responded with a different question, a story, or some other indirection. 
 
John 3:4-12 (NLT)4  “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”5  Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.6  Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.7  So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’8  The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”9  “How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked.10  Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things?11  I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony.12  But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
 
John 14:5-7 (NLT)5  “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”6  Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.7  If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”
 
Luke 10:29-30 (NLT)29  The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”30  Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.

Evidently Jesus wants us to work out answers on our own using the principles that He taught and lived.  

What we really want, and the reason that we get frustrated and think that God is not listening is that we want things to happen the way that we want and when we want.  

“When we try to dictate to God the time, place, and manner for him to act, we are testing him.  At the same time, we’re trying to see if he is really there. Doing that is putting limits on God and trying to make him do what we want.  It’s nothing less than trying to deprive God of his divinity. But we must realize that God is free - not subject to any limitations. He must dictate to us the place, manner, and time".  - Martin Luther

Scripture reveals numerous times and ways God spoke to His children. He met them in dreams, through a burning bush, visions, and words spoken by others. We know He doesn’t change. This means, He still speaks, in just as many unexpected ways. But we also know when He speaks, we’ll hear Him.

John 10:27 NKJV My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

In other words, He wants us to hear Him. Learning to discern His voice, however, takes time and practice. 

How does God speak directly and personally?

1. Prayer. In order for God to speak to us, we need to be in his presence listening for his voice.  As we spend time in prayer, we may sense God’s presense leading in our lives.

2. His word. God speaks to us through his written word as we study and meditate upon his holy Scripture.

3. Circumstances. Many times God will cause doors to open, or others to close. If we are
walking in obedience to him, we have to assume that events in our lives are ordered by God.  They don’t just happen by chance.

4. Our heart. Sometimes the Holy Spirit will minister to our spirit and reveal God’s plan for us.  We will have an assurance deep in our hearts. We will feel God’s voice guiding us.

5. Others. God can use other believers to bring us his direction. Sometimes we will be singing a song in church, or we will be reading a Christian book, or hear the Pastor’s message, or one of our friends will say something that will show us God’s will. 

God can reveal his direction to us through any of these five ways. But even when he does, it’s sometimes difficult to discern that what we sense or feel is truly God’s plan for our lives so we need Him to confirm His direction the same way He revealed it to us  In other words: one or two more things will confirm God’s direction for you. When you get this confirmation, then you will know it’s time to step out in faith.

Just as sheep come to recognize the voice of their shepherd as he cares for them day in and day out, so too we learn to distinguish God’s heart-whispers from the noise all around us.

And in times of divine silence, we learn to wait. To trust, knowing God loves us, promised to guide us, and to teach us all things.​
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The instances of mass murder, hate crimes, and terrorist attacks (many of them being all three) over past few weeks, in fact the past few years have caused many of us to be afraid of being in crowds, going to certain places like shopping malls, even church.  When these things happen we realize that we are not in control of much in our lives and that generates fear. It's at those times we yearn for peace. The kind of peace we had as young children when our parents, grandparents, a guardian, or even social service programs took care of everything. 

I recently started a series of posts sharing prayers for you to pray at those times when  you're having trouble with trust or finding the words to pray above the scary times. It's at those times you want to know the peace of God which passes all understanding.  (For the entire series of prayers click this LINK

A Prayer for the Peace of Christ to Rule

Dear Lord, Help me remember you are indeed Lord of my life. You have the right to rule all that I think, believe and do. When I allow my mind to run to places that destroy my peace, remind me these are unauthorized thoughts. You do not want me to dwell on thoughts and emotions that contribute to unreasonable fears.

I know my mind will remain in perfect peace as I fix my thoughts on you; so Lord Jesus, let your peace rule in my heart. Remind me of the peace I have in your family, and teach me how to be thankful for those circumstances that cause me to run to you, focus on you, and abide in you. I never need to live with fearful, anxious thoughts. The truth is, you are in control! ~ Dawn Wilson

Lord, We Need Your Peace 

Dear God, We’re in need of your peace and truth to soothe our hearts and spirits right now. When we find ourselves awake in the middle of the night, our pressing needs and worries can feel overwhelming. We need to be reminded of your constant love, healing, and grace. We ask for your Mighty Power to surround us. ~ Debbie McDaniel
Thank you that you have set us free and that you are bigger than anything we face in this life. We lay our burdens before you, every single one, for we know they’re much safer in your hands than our own.

A Prayer to the Prince of Peace

Dear Jesus, You are the Prince of Peace. You came to give us your peace. It’s nothing like the world gives. It is peace born in the freedom we have in you, a gift to all God’s children—to guard our hearts and minds.
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I can’t escape the troubles of this world. I may face financial difficulties, relationship breakdowns, a health crisis—so many scary challenges. But you tell me to “take heart,” to be encouraged, because you have overcome the world. You have overcome all the things that would discourage and defeat us. I am grateful for your peace that is beyond all my circumstances. ~ Dawn Wilson

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Philippians 4:4-7 (ESV) 4  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.5  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;6  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.7  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

The instances of mass murder, hate crimes, and terrorist attacks (many of them being all three) over past few weeks, in fact the past few years have caused many of us to be afraid of being in crowds, going to certain places like shopping malls, even church.  When these things happen we realize that we are not in control of much in our lives and that generates fear. It's at those times we yearn for peace. The kind of peace we had as young children when our parents, grandparents, a guardian, or even social service programs took care of everything. 

I recently started a series of posts sharing prayers for you to pray at those times when  you're having trouble with trust or finding the words to pray above the scary times. It's at those times you want to know the peace of God which passes all understanding.  (For the entire series of prayers click this LINK

A Prayer for Peace of Mind

Almighty God, We bless you for our lives, we give you praise for your abundant mercy and grace we receive. We thank you for your faithfulness even though we are not that faithful to you. Lord Jesus, we ask you to give us all around peace in our mind, body, soul and spirit. We want you to heal and remove everything that is causing stress, grief, and sorrow in our lives.

Please guide our path through life and make our enemies be at peace with us. Let your peace reign in our family, at our place of work, businesses and everything we lay our hands on.

Let your angels of peace go ahead of us when we go out and stay by our side when we return. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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A few years ago I wrote, “Faith and Healing – What Does the Bible Say?”   In that blog post I said that healing is a gift from God not a right. “A gift is not something that you can demand or claim that you have a right to.  Salvation and eternal life are gifts from God because of His grace and mercy not because we earned or deserve them.  

Ephesians 2:8-9 (HCSB)8  For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift--9  not from works, so that no one can boast. 

I believe that healing is also a gift.  We don’t earn healing because we go to church and bible study every week, or pray three times a day.  It is a gift from God, a gift received by faith. A gift is not something that you can demand or claim that you have a right to receive.  When Jesus walked the earth those who wanted healing asked Him for it. They didn’t demand it and Jesus healed them voluntarily. Salvation and eternal life are gifts God has given us because of His grace and mercy not because we earned or deserve them.  I believe that healing is one of those gifts. We don’t earn healing because we go to church and bible study every week, or pray three times a day. It is a gift from God.  

Ultimately, our full physical healing awaits us in heaven. In heaven, there will be no more pain, sickness, disease, suffering, or death.  We all need to be less preoccupied with our physical condition in this world and a lot more concerned with our spiritual condition.

Romans 12:1-2 (HCSB)1  Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.2  Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.  

Then we can focus our hearts on heaven where we will no longer have to deal with physical problems. 

Revelation 21:1-4 (HCSB)1  Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea no longer existed.2  I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.3  Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look! God’s dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.4  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away.

A Prayer for Personal Healing

God, you know me so well. You created me. You know the number of hairs on my head, and you even know the thoughts conceived in my heart before I ever vocalize them. You've told us to come to you and ask for every need of life. You are Jehovah-Rapha, the God who heals, and you have the final word on my destiny, the number of years I'll live and serve you on earth.

I'm coming to you today as your child, longing to hear from you and asking for your divine healing. There's so much I don't understand about life. But I do know that with one touch, one word, you can make me whole. Please forgive me of my sins, cleanse me of my unrighteousness, and begin your healing from the inside out.

I don't always know what your will is Lord, especially in times like now, when I desperately seek your face. I offer you no promises, no bargains, no deals to exchange for my health. I simply bow my heart before you to tell you the desire of my heart: that I want to spend as many years as I can loving you here, loving others, and wanting to become more like you. However you choose to accomplish that is up to you—and okay with me. If you use doctors to provide healing, give them wisdom to know what to do. Regardless of how you accomplish it, the healing you give is always miraculous. And you deserve all the praise.

I absolutely believe you have the power to heal. You demonstrated that on earth, and you still heal in miraculous ways today. Even when my faith is weak, you say it is enough, and my love for you is strong. And I know you already hold my heart and life in your hands. It's up to you. If I can bring you more glory through healing, then that's what I ask for. That's what I desire.

But if your answer is no, or not now, I know that your grace is sufficient for me. Ultimately, I want your will to be my will. I look forward to spending an eternity with you. But Lord, if you have planned still more for me to do here on this earth, I not only need and want your physical healing, Lord, but a thorough, deep-down cleansing and strengthening—a whole-hearted renewal of all that I am. Because all that I am is yours. Use this trial to strengthen me from a "what-if" faith to a "no-matter-what" faith. And no matter what, I choose to honor you and give you glory. In Jesus's name, Amen. ~ Rebecca Barlow Jordan

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The instances of mass murder, hate crimes, and terrorist attacks (many of them being all three) over past few weeks, in fact the past few years have caused many of us to be afraid of being in crowds, going to certain places like shopping malls, even church.  When these things happen we realize that we are not in control of much in our lives and that generates fear. It's at those times we yearn for peace. The kind of peace we had as young children when our parents, grandparents, a guardian, or even social service programs took care of everything. We didn't have to worry about anything. 

Over the next few days I'm going to share some prayers for you to pray at those times when you're having trouble with trust or finding the words to pray above the scary times.  It's at those times you want to know the peace of God which passes all understanding. 


A Prayer for Peace Within

Oh Lord, sometimes my insides feel like a battle zone, where missiles are falling too close to home. Other times I'm caught in an endless storm, with thoughts flying out of control. Confusion reigns, and defeat creeps in to steal my joy. I need your peace—the deep-down-in-your-heart kind that stays with me day and night and speaks confidently into the wind. Calm my anxious spirit, Lord; all the attacking "if-onlys" and "what-ifs" fill me with needless worry.

I know that trust is a big part of experiencing peace and that fear has no place in my life. Most of the things I worry about or dread don't even happen. So I'm declaring my trust in you. I'm releasing the reins of my life again and asking you to take control. I may need to pray this same prayer daily, but I'm tired of the frenzy of life that leaves my schedule and my thoughts without any margin. I need more of you, Lord, and less of me.

I surrender and admit: I can't control people, plans, or even all my circumstances, but I can yield those things to you, and focus on your goodness. Thank you today for every good gift you've given, every blessing you've sent, all the forgiveness I did not deserve, and, yes, for every trial you've allowed into my life. You bring good out of every circumstance if I'll only let go and believe you. I know that when I pray and give thanks instead of worrying, you have promised that I can experience the kind of peace that passes all understanding. That's your kind of peace, Lord. And it's the kind I crave.

Whenever I’m stressed, anxious, or afraid, help me remember to run to you. You're the only one that can calm my fears and end my fretful behavior. Whether in trivial or heavy matters, I know you will not only give me peace; Lord, you will be my peace. And when I draw close to you—in prayer, in reading your Word, in helping another, in taking my mind off myself—you will be there, up close and personal.

I can't handle these times alone, Lord. Will you speak peace and calm my storms, or hold my hand while we walk through them together? Will you bring the reassuring wisdom of those who have come through similar times into my life? Thank you, Lord. I'm trusting you.

In the name of the One who makes the wind and the waves stand still, Amen. ~ Rebecca Barlow Jordan

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​The Risk of Being Real
 
Our friendship with God deepens when we risk being open and honest as we talk with Him. 
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When we become convinced that God is really our friend, we really know how He feels about us and the we can talk to Him about anything.         
 
Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
                                               
One of the things that keeps us from being bold is the  common misconception that believers should be perfect. We fake it pretending to have our lives in order, smiling and saying all the right things. At times we’re ashamed to admit our shortcomings.
 
When we’re born again, God forgives us and sees us as righteous.  Salvation through Jesus, however, doesn’t change the fact that sin is present in our lives.  Striving for perfection actually can be a trap.  The world sees successful individuals as powerful and self-sufficient, but Jesus didn’t care about these qualities. Instead, He wants people to be aware of their own brokenness.
 
We shouldn’t cover up your emotions in order to look like a “good Christian.” Without becoming open we are unable to rely fully on God.  When we realize this we can passionately seek Him, obey Him, and confess and repent when we miss the mark.   So if we want our prayer life to go beyond where we are now we are going to have to risk opening up to our friend, God.  We are going to have to be bold.
 
What if we boldly acknowledged our feelings before God—even the aching questions and the deep hurts—and asked Him to help us understand what we were feeling?

What if we were truly honest with Him about our lack of emotional zeal and instead said, “God, help me to celebrate You with joy, not because of my earthly emotions but because of my faith-based, confident trust in the truth of who You are”?

After all, God created every part of us, including our emotions.
 
As a good God who uses everything for His purposes, don’t you think He can use our most troubling questions and deepest pain to bring testimonies of great glory and power (that goes beyond our in-the-moment feelings)?

​I’m Scared to Pray Boldly
by Lysa TerKeurst, from Embraced
 
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. — James 5:16
                                                                                                                                               
Sometimes I’m scared to pray boldly. It’s not at all that I don’t believe God can do anything. I absolutely do. I’m a wild-about-Jesus girl. Wild in my willingness. Wild in my obedience. Wild in my adventures with God.
                                                                                                                                               
So my hesitation isn’t rooted in any kind of doubt about God. It’s more rooted in doubts about myself and my ability to absolutely discern the will of God. The reality is, sometimes God chooses not to do things. And if His will is “No,” while I am boldly praying for a “Yes,” it makes me feel out of step with God.
 
Can you relate?
                                                                                                                                               
I so desperately want to stay in the will of God that I find myself praying with clauses like: God, please heal my friend, but if it’s Your will to take her, I will trust You.
                                                                                                                                               
I wonder why I don’t just boldly pray: God, please heal my friend. And then stand confidently knowing my prayers were not in vain — no matter what the outcome.
                                                                                                                                                 
Praying boldly boots me out of that stale place of religious habit into authentic connection with God Himself.
                                                                                                                                               
Prayer opens my spiritual eyes to see things I can’t see on my own. And I’m convinced prayer matters. Prayers are powerful and effective if prayed from the position of a righteous heart (James 5:16).
                                                                                                                                               
Prayer opens my spiritual eyes to see things I can’t see on my own.
                                                                                                                                               
So, prayer does make a difference — a life-changing, mind-blowing, earth-rattling difference. We don’t need to know how. We don’t need to know when. We just need to kneel confidently and know the tremors of a simple Jesus girl’s prayers extend far-wide and far-high and far-deep.
                                                                                                                                               
Letting that absolute truth slosh over into my soul snuffs out the flickers of hesitation. It bends my stiff knees. And it ignites a fresh, bold, and even wilder fire within. Not bold as in bossy and demanding. But bold as in, I love my Jesus with all my heart, so why would I offer anything less than an ignited prayer life?
                                                                                                                                               
Jesus speaks specifically about igniting our prayer lives in Matthew 6:6-8:
                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                               
When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
                                                                                                                                               
So let’s ask. And ask again. Not because we can cause God to move, but so we’ll position our souls to see our sweet Jesus move in any which way He pleases.
                                                                                                                                               
Dear Lord, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to bring all my worries and cares to You. Thank You for providing me with exactly what I need. I trust You have my best interest in mind today. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
                                                                                                                                               
Excerpted with permission from Embraced by Lysa TerKeurst, copyright Lysa TerKeurst.

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Four Steps To Boldness

Here are four steps to take that will help you in becoming bold in your praying.
 
1. Authentically share with God all that you’re feeling, including your doubts and fears.

He tells us to give Him our cares and to trust Him with every part of our lives.
 
1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
  
Matthew 11:28-30 ESV Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
 
2. Believe the truth that He is not far off, regardless of what your emotions tell you.

Sometimes life is incredibly hard and there seems little relief from the pain. My family and I are going through a season like that right now. It is tough, to say the least!

But during these times, we must not let our emotions take over and nullify the everlasting truths of God.
 
God is close to the brokenhearted and will rescue those with crushed spirits.
 
Psalms 34:18 ESV The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
 
He keeps us in perfect peace when we keep our eyes on Him and not on our circumstances

Isaiah 26:3 ESV You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
 
He will not reject a broken and repentant heart
 
Psalms 51:17 ESV The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
 
He restores the crushed spirit of the humble and revives the courage of those with repentant hearts
 
Isaiah 57:15 ESV For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

The Lord is close to all who call on him in truth
 
Psalms 145:18-19 ESV The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.  He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.
 
He will never leave us or give up on us
 
Hebrews 13:5 ESV Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
  
3. Ask Him to reveal anything in your life, including sinful habits, thoughts, or patterns, that may be separating you from Him.

Spend extra time reading the Bible and allowing the purity of Scripture to bathe your heart with what He calls “pure and righteous.”

Ask Him to show you areas where you need His help to live differently so that nothing can hinder your connection with God. Listen for his conviction and not the condemnation.

If He reveals things to you that need to change, be quick to repent and to change patterns in your life so that you can find healing and restoration.

4. Keep seeking, keep believing, and watch His promises still come true (despite your waxing and waning emotions).

Be still and let Him do the work to heal and bring answers. Continue to believe in His trustworthy, never-failing promises.