True peace isn’t defined by the absence of problems. True peace is found in the presence of God. The presence of God is discovered through prayer in its many forms.

There is Power in Prayer. Look around, your life is likely filled with people who have troubles. How much you make or own does not change that reality. It may change the makeup of that reality, but not the fact of it. People are hurting, suffering through trials, and struggling.

What friend we have in Jesus—All our sins and griefs to bear

And what a privilege to carry—Everything to God in prayer

This hymn hints at a reality about prayer that few ever consider. Here is what Paul wrote…

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. 7 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. 

There is something powerful, deep, and profound here. This is something that calms your soul and settles your mind. It will realign your thoughts and move you in a better direction.

Misconceptions about Prayer

We Think Prayer is Complicated. So many people don’t understand prayer. It’s intimidating and your pastor may sound fairly eloquent. You visit a small group and there is that lady who prays like she’s Jesus’ little sister. How can you compete with that? And we don’t like feeling awkward.

We Think Prayer is Boring. The Disciples fell asleep. We get that, don’t we? Jesus told them the Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. 

We Think Prayer Doesn’t Work. Almost everyone has tried prayer. Many have determined it doesn’t help. “If prayer works, why didn’t God heal my loved one.” “I’m praying but my marriage isn’t getting better?” 

But, we are not praying to a distant, uninvolved, hard-to-please God. We are praying to a loving, caring and personal God who calls us His friends.

John 15:15 (TPT) I have never called you ‘servants,’ because a master doesn’t confide in his servants, and servants don’t always understand what the master is doing. But I call you My most intimate friends, for I reveal to you everything that I’ve heard from My Father.

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Joseph Scriven was born in Ireland in the 1800s. In his youth, he was engaged to his childhood sweetheart. The day before the wedding his fiance rode horseback to their meeting place. She was bucked off, knocked unconscious and thrown into a river. She drowned just before he arrived.

His homeland became too much for him. The memories of her were crushing him so he moved from Ireland to Canada. There he encountered God’s Grace and fell in love with living for Jesus. He took a vow of poverty and devoted his life to others. He would not work for people who could pay him. He was nicknamed the Good Samaritan.

A young woman took notice of this godly young man. They fell in love and were engaged. Weeks before the wedding, she contracted pneumonia and died at the age of 23.  Twice, Joseph had found the love of his life, and twice she was taken from him. He never fell in love again.

When his mother was dying back in Ireland, he could not afford to go visit but sent a poem. It circulated and became well known. But the most credit he would ever take was, “To be honest, the Lord and I wrote it.” You may know it.

Can we find a friend so faithful? Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness. Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged. Take it to the Lord in prayer.

How Do We Pray?

Philippians 4:6 (NLT) Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.

Sometimes you talk to God. Paul talks about prayer in a beautiful, simple, and intimate way. It sounds so beautiful. It sounds so clean and “church-y”. But that’s only because we don’t know how real and gritty this was when he penned these words. Paul dreamed of traveling to Rome. He wanted to minister to those believers. He wanted to proclaim Jesus at the center of the known world. But, when he arrived, he was in chains. And, he was never released. 

1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.

Sometimes you vent to God. “God that hurt. That isn’t what I expected you to do, God. I’m angry with you. This is the opposite of what I have been asking you for.” The only people who don’t struggle with God, are those who don’t have a real relationship with Him. Real relationships have fights. But, there is nothing you can’t talk to Him about.

John 10:27 (NLT) My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.

Sometimes you listen to God. Maybe it’s not “writing on the wall”. But, His Word will open to you. It will speak to you. It might be Circumstances, a door might open that was closed before. That song that you heard that just took on new meaning. Maybe it’s a voice spoken into your life by someone new or not so new. And, never discount the Spirit in you.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) …Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. 

At all times, you give thanks to God. Prayer may or may not change your circumstances but prayer always changes you. 

Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear

All because we do not carry, Everything to God in prayer