Prayer Is A Choice

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Worriedly, I flipped on the television. The news channel showed army tanks rolling across the landscape while a journalist narrated the scene, videos of explosions in the distance flickering on the bottom quarter of the screen. Half a world away, a brewing conflict had erupted overnight. I wept as I listened to the stories of those impacted by the violence, felt an answering ache in my heart as I watched fleeing parents try to remain calm and brave for their children.

What can I possibly do to assist those who are hurting? I wondered. I felt overwhelmed by helplessness. The chaos had uprooted charities from the region, and I had no expertise or influence of my own to provide relief in this situation.

As I sat down for a moment to better absorb what I was watching, my attention was caught by my prayer journal, lying open on the table in front of me. Muting the television, I read again the verses I’d handwritten that morning from Philippians. In them, Paul calls on the church at Philippi not to worry but to pray and thank God for his provision. He reminds them that their choice to trust God by praying specifically and telling him what they need leads to peace. It’s this peace, ultimately, that guards us against fear, helping us to live unafraid.

Bowing my head, I prayed for the worries that weighed on my heart. I asked God to move in this ongoing situation to bring peace and healing. As I raised my head again, I thanked God for the gift of his peace. Though the problem wasn’t resolved immediately, the burden of concern felt lighter. Even when the world is warring, we can experience an internal calm. He is the source of peace, come what may. Thank you, Jesus, for the peace you offer to us.

Kristin

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Spend a few minutes writing down the heaviest burdens on your heart. Spend time in prayer, asking God for his peace.