How Do I Pray for Peace?
A Troubled World
How do we pray for peace in a world going mad?
As Jesus poured into His disciples right before His crucifixion, He said,”’ I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.’" (John 16:33)
The disciples had spent three years following Him, probably expecting to continue in the same way the rest of their lives. But He knew their world was about to be turned upside down and shaken until every last thing they thought they knew lay exposed on the ground.
They would experience tribulation in this world for the rest of their lives. But He left them with the promise — in Him they would have peace. Right smack dab in the middle of THIS world and all its troubles
In Him we have access to peace as well, but not if we look at our circumstances or the state of the world to confirm and support our troubled hearts. How do we merge trouble and peace? This juxtaposition occurs because right now we live in the great in-between.
Yes, Jesus redeemed the world through His death and resurrection. And He promised He will return and that the future holds a new heaven and earth where wrong is set right and death no longer holds sway.
But, we are not there. Not yet. Now, we sit between the redemption and the realization, in a world full of war and hatred. Anyone who looks at the news observes this reality.
The stakes of the issues we face right now can overwhelm me. I’ve studied enough history to recognize the similarities to our current situation and the start of the last two world wars. That doesn’t mean war will necessarily break out, but for the first time in my adulthood, there is certainly a scary possibility.
I worry over Ukranians fleeing and terrorist groups in Africa and the growing relationships between Russian, China, and Saudi Arabia. I find it easy to allow despair a seat at the table when I watch homes destroyed and tanks roll across farm land. I easily lose hope though I know I shouldn’t.
I ask myself, what can I do from my living room to make a dent into this chaos? Jesus warned us that in this world we would have trouble, even tribulation. So, I shouldn’t be surprised. Instead, I must turn to the only One who has overcome the world.
The Prince of Peace instructs us to take heart, right in the middle of the scary. In the midst of the in-between. During the not-yet.
Why? Because He is the solution. The only solution. Because of Him, I can live in peace in the midst of the tribulation.
Praying in the Not-Yet
As I anticipate His returning, or His “mending” as SD Smith paints the picture in his brilliant children’s books, The Green Ember Series, I can have peace before the mending happens. And I don’t mean an esoterical, separation-from-the-world peace. My peace arrives as I do the work available while I await the restoration.
I give money to people I trust will use it well to help the refugees. I share information for others to be informed. But most of all, I do the most effective action available. I pray. I can’t change the fate of nations by anything I do. But I can fight for change in the heavenlies.
I can pray for peace in the world.
I can pray for peace in the spirits of refugees whose whole lives have been toppled.
I can pray for peace in my own spirit so that I can continue to the work I’m assigned in this in-between and don’t give up.
How To Pray For Peace
I prefer to extract prayers from Scripture so that I know I am praying the Lord’s heart and will. These prayers for peace come directly from verses that explain the Lord’s peace plan.
When the world holds no peace, I turn to the Prince of Peace and ask for His peace to rule my heart and to be showered on the hurting people all over the globe.
Below are the prayers I’m praying right now. Want a copy to print out? Sign up below.
Prayers For Peace
Here are specific prayers taken directly from the scripture that follows them. Pray these over your own troubled heart. And you can also pray them over hurting people everywhere, that they would experience Jesus and be able to breathe in peace no matter their surroundings.
Jesus, help me hold on to the peace You give. Please make Your peace replace my fear.
John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Jesus, please guard my heart and mind with Your peace.
Philippians 4:7 - And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Jesus, Lord of peace, please give me peace no matter what is happening.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 - Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.
Lord, please help my mind stay on You and help me trust You so I can rest in Your perfect peace.
Isaiah 26:3 ESV - You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Oh Lord, please shine on me, bless and keep me, and give me peace.
Numbers 6:24-26 - The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Want A Print Out of the Prayers?
I have a free printable for these if you sign up below. I encourage you to print this out and put it up where you will see it. Maybe next to the TV or your computer so that as you consume news reports you can turn to prayer instead of worry?
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