In these crazy times, I love the four elements of “The Prayer of Peace”

Crazy.  Unthinkable.  Bizarre.

We awakened a week ago to the images of war in the Middle East.  

Things feel significantly destabilized in the world.  

Nations are aligning on either side.  It feels like it’s not over.

How do we pray?

I heard a message recently about a simple prayer we can pray when things feel crazy:  “The Prayer of Peace.”

Here are the four elements of this powerful prayer:

1.  I CHOOSE peace:  “Do not be anxious about anything” (Phil. 4: 6)

Faith is a choice.  Fear is a choice.  

You start with a decision.  “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL.”

I will not look at what’s going on in my world through the glasses of fear.  

The news has their perspective, and you have to have yours.

“It’s going to be OK.”

2. I PRAY with faith:  “Let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4: 6)

Now, find your situation in the Bible.  That makes you sure you are praying His will.  

He knows everything already, but He wants to hear your faith, giving it over to Him.

“Lord, according to your Word, I can give this problem over to you and not carry it myself.”

3.  I THANK Him in advance:  “...in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving…” (Phil. 4: 6)

The prayer is not finished until you are giving thanks.

You may say, “I haven’t seen anything yet.”  You don’t need to.  

John said, “And if we know He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that WE HAVE the requests we have asked of Him” (1 Jn. 5: 15).

“Lord, I thank you in advance for the answer to my prayer about this particular situation.”

 4. I GUARD my mind: ““...think about these things…and the God of peace will be with you” (Phil. 4: 8, 9)

Paul then tells us to guard our thoughts and only allow in things that are “true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, of good report, excellent, and worthy of praise”  (Phil. 4: 8)

The MOMENT a thought of worry, fear, or anxiety attempts to barge into your mind, “KNOCK IT DOWN.”

Patrol your thoughts.  If a thought knocks on the door of your mind, look through the “peephole” and keep the door of your mind locked. Refuse any outside thought that doesn’t fit into that verse.

In this crazy time, learn the four principles of the “Prayer of Peace”:  choose peace, pray with faith, give thanks in advance, and guard your mind.”

“Lord, we now pray for our nation, leaders, Congress, military, and allies.  Please give them your wisdom according to your Word.  We turn these world situations over to you and thank you for peace coming into the place of large-scale war.  We cast down any and every thought that tries to frighten us and steal our peace.”

That’s the “Prayer of Peace.”