Four Prayers for Following the Peace of God

Four Prayers for Following the Peace of God

As a dentist specialized in oral medicine and orofacial pain, I spent an inordinate length of time in graduate school and multiple residency programs. My husband and I had three daughters at various stages of my training. When that season finally ended, I joyfully accepted a position as a faculty member at a dental school. My goal was to establish a robust clinical, teaching, and research career.

 

Four years later, I started sensing in my spirit that God was directing me to reduce my work schedule from full-time to part-time. On the surface, I wanted to keep my full-time job because of the financial benefits, job security, and career opportunities. However, deep down, I desired a position that would allow me the flexibility to take care of my children and home. So, I prayed to God for direction.

 

As I prayed and reflected on which path to take, God made it crystal clear to quit my full-time job. Different verses from the Word and multiple sermons preached by several pastors seemed like loud buzzers resounding in my spirit to confirm what I had already heard from God.

 

God’s peace permeated my spirit. The problem was that my mind was not entirely at peace. My spirit was united with God in peace, but my mind was calculating my perceived loss of career status and financial stability.

 

Following the Peace of God

In obedience to God, I requested and was granted a part-time position. I decided to trust God and follow His peace.

 

Hearing God’s voice accurately is crucial to our success. But how can we be sure that it really was God’s voice we heard? Two important ways to confirm whether we have heard from God is to ensure that what we heard aligns with God’s Word. God will never ask us to do anything that goes against His Word.

 

A second confirmation is to check if the peace of God is present in our hearts. God’s voice always produces peace. Like an umpire who officiates a sports game, God’s peace acts like a signal that guides us to make the right decisions.

 

Colossians 3:15 reminds us to yield to the peace that comes from Christ. As we follow God’s peace, it will supersede our understanding, calculations, and perception of our situation, bringing peace and rest to our minds.

 

“And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds,” Colossians 3:15a AMPC

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 NIV

 

God followed through and captured my heart with four verses and prayers for peace from His Word, which ultimately became my testimony as my mind found rest in Him.

 

Four Prayers for Following God’s Peace

Prayer Number 1

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV

As I placed my trust in God, He filled me with His joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit. I quit striving over my career and stopped allowing it to drive my self-worth and identity.

 

Prayer Number 2

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV

God reminded me that peace comes from Him, and He is always with me. I could trust Him with every situation and every challenge, knowing He would grant me peace and rest.

 

Prayer Number 3

“Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23 NLT

As I prayed to God and stayed in His presence, His peace permeated my whole being – spirit, soul, and body. My mind rested and trusted His provision and faithfulness regarding my new job status.

 

Prayer Number 4

“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV

 

I rested in the truth that the God of peace is my great Shepherd; therefore, “I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1 NKJV). I put my trust in Him, knowing that since He directed me to shift my career from full-time to part-time, He must know what He is doing. He was working in me and transforming me to conform to His will and please Him.

 

He sees and knows my children and husband’s spiritual, emotional, and physical needs.  So, He called me home to attend to my tribe. To make myself available for my husband and train my children to know Him and live for Him.

 

It has been almost four years since I switched to a part-time schedule, and I have seen the benefits of my career shift. It is an honor to serve God, and I trust Him to continue equipping me to faithfully obey His will through Jesus Christ. Amen!

 

Related Articles:

• Peace with God through the Cross
• 7 Biblical Principles for Choosing Peace in Troubled Times: Part 1
• 7 Biblical Principles for Choosing Peace in Troubled Times: Part 2

 

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

 

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