21 Days of Prayer: Day 18 (Promise of Peace)

DAY 18
Thursday, October 31

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

THE PROMISE OF PEACE: Peace in Times of Uncertainty
One of the things I appreciate about reading through the gospels is how many relatable and “human” emotions we can see from the disciples. I think John 14 provides us with one of those moments as Jesus is approaching his arrest and death. If I were to try to paraphrase what the disciples were communicating to Jesus in this chapter, it would maybe be something like, “But what’s going to happen to us? This would be a whole lot easier if we just knew what was coming.” In short, I think they were feeling scared and uncertain about the future, and they didn’t like where they thought it was headed. Sound familiar? Can you relate? I can.

Notice how Jesus responds here in verse 27 — he doesn’t respond with a crystal ball. He doesn’t respond with all of the answers and a road map of how the future will unfold. He responds with peace, which I think is so important and good. Not only does peace mean calmness and rest, but a mind and heart at peace make room for even more good things like faith and trust. Jesus knows that a peaceful heart with faith in Him is exactly what we need, and it’s precisely what He gives.

PRAYER
Jesus, thank you for the peace you offer us. When we face uncertainty, please help us to accept that peace and focus on your good promises, rather than whatever we think the world has in store for us. Thank you that you care for us, and that you are near to us. We love you.

Pray For Our Church: Take some time to pray for Pathway today—the people who make up our church, the staff, the ministries, etc. Ask God to work in and through us.
Pray For Our City: Pray for the people of our community and ask God to be at work in our hometown.
Pray For Our Nation: Pray for our nation—its people and its leaders. Boldly and specifically make your requests, then submit those desires to God’s will. Express your trust in Him.

REFLECTION:

• How have you seen God's faithfulness and his promises lived out today?
• Write 2-3 points of gratitude, and thank Jesus for these things.
• Spend time praising God for who he is, what he has done, where he is at work, and what he has promised.
  
  

By Gary Bishop