Peace Like a River Part V

Please read “Peace Like a River” Parts I-IV

Lastly, there is peace in prayer. II Chronicles 7:14 promises, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” True humility is a realization that God is sovereign, and we are weak and unworthy. As we come to Him in prayer, we acknowledge our dependence on Him and our encompassing need for His blessing and presence in our lives. Ironically, God asks us to die to ourselves, to gain eternal life. He asks us to give up all things to Him to gain everything. This is quite the trade off. When we give up control, we gain peace. Philippians 4:6,7 instructs us to, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” How healthy is your prayer life? Colossians 4:2 teaches, “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” An old saying proclaims, “Without God, you cannot; without you, God will not.” We are to pray with thanksgiving and expectantly waiting for our answer. Recently, I was waiting for the arrival of some friends who were coming for dinner. I frequently peeked out of the window, checked the time and prepared for them to arrive. The Holy Spirit quickened to my spirit that this is how we must behave toward God. If you fully expect someone is going to fulfill a promise, you will be waiting and watching for them to do so. Matthew 26:42 speaks of the poignant prayer of Jesus, “He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, 'O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.'” Jesus modeled perfect obedience in His prayer of petition to the Father. If we lay all things in His hands, as Mary did when she said, “. . .Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38) we are able to rest in the knowledge that our prayers are according to God's will. Ask God to teach you how to pray. He will surely answer you plea with the guiding of the Holy Spirit. I pray that God's peace rests upon you as you bring your requests before Him in prayer and supplication.

Patti