By Kathi Pelton
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
In a world of global turmoil—wars, divisions, conflicts and economic chaos— where can you find peace? You may be asking how can you engage in prayer, stay informed and yet not lose your peace.
John 14 not only speaks of being given a supernatural peace but also being given an advocate, a helper who will never leave those who are in Christ.
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (vs. 26)
The Holy Spirit lives in us— he is “Christ with us”— Jesus is within the Father therefore through the Spirit, we have the fullness of the Trinity dwelling with us and within us.
“…On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” (vs. 20-21)
Ephesians 2:14 states that Christ is our peace, telling us that God is not just a giver of peace, but peace itself— peace dwelling within us through the Holy Spirit. This is why we must stay intimately connected to his Spirit within us. This is how our souls maintain peace, remain in harmony with God and thrive amidst a world that is not in peace.
“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.” Philippians 4:6-7
We have been given prayer in exchange for worry. Peace in exchange for anxiety. What an honor to be able to approach the Lord day or night and cast our cares upon him; knowing that he reigns over all the earth. Though we may leave our time of prayer without a greater understanding of what is happening around us, we can go forward in the peace that surpasses our need for understanding.
I have worked closely with intercessors for decades (houses of prayer, national prayer teams and global prayer organizations) and the one thing that has caused my heart to grieve is that I often find that some intercessors have a belief that “being burdened” or “focused on the problem” is somehow more spiritual than experiencing God’s peace that guards their hearts and minds. Yet, his peace allows us to hear his voice clearly and pray from a place of authority rather than fear. Thanksgiving flows from the heart that is confident and has entered into trusting the Lord. Calm and rest are established within our souls.
I am not saying that travailing prayer is not from God (it has come upon me many times) but when it lifts there should be a blanket of peace that refreshes you. Your anxiety is not what should be driving your prayers— nor empowering you to pray longer. His peace will draw you into a deep confidence that your prayers have been heard and you can thank him that he will accomplish his will in the situation that you have brought before him.
Yes, our souls feel deep emotions and pain when someone we love is suffering or a nation is experiencing war and loss. This is not wrong but this is the very reason that we desperately need to bring difficult issues to God in prayer. This is where we will also find the peace that will guard our hearts and minds (our souls) during painful times.
Without his peace we not only will have overwhelming emotions but the added warfare of fear, chaotic thoughts, dread, anxiety and unrest. Peace provides rest and clarity within the storm. This is what Jesus showed us when he slept in the boat during the storm. His disciples showed us what anxiety and fear can do to us when peace is swallowed up by the winds and waves. Let’s choose peace!
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have MANY trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”” John 16:33
The peace that is given to us, by his Spirit within us, becomes the doorway to enter into his overcoming victory that was established through the cross. The cross is the threshold for you to crossover into his overcoming victory and peace that is eternally ours.
Every enemy has already been defeated and one day we will see peace established throughout all creation— until that day there is peace provided for those in Christ as we carry our needs to God in prayer and exchange them for the peace that surpasses our understanding.
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9
Amen~
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