A Prayer about the Peace of God

by | Feb 24, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about the Peace of God

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

Peace-bringing God,

We have all been there, 

whether in the waiting room 

while a loved one undergoes a big surgery 

or in a living room 

hearing the news that a loved one is battling an addiction 

or in a boss’s office 

wondering if we’re about to get the axe…

in short, in a place that induces fear and anxiety.

In such places, we desperately need to know your peace, 

“the peace of God.” 

What is it like?

First of all, it is your peace. 

It belongs to you, 

and it characterizes you. 

Would the God who created the universe 

ever be found wringing his hands over what-if’s? 

We don’t think so. 

You are 

the all-knowing 

and all-powerful 

Creator and Ruler of the universe.

Second, it is a surpassing peace. 

It’s far more soothing  

than the scent of a lavender candle. 

Third, it is a peace 

that surpasses all understanding. 

It is a puzzling peace, 

a seemingly impossible peace given the situation.

Finally, it is a peace that comes 

from being “in Christ Jesus.” 

It is the saving peace 

of knowing our foundation 

is sure and unshakeable. 

Oh, Father, 

wherever we are today, 

grant us this surpassing peace.

In Jesus’ peace-bringing name. Amen.

Read Philippians 4:4-9.

Friends, this prayer is an excerpt from my devotional From Recovery to Restoration: 60 Meditations for Finding Peace & Hope in Crisis. If you or someone you know is in crisis, be sure to check it out. 



A Prayer about Longing for a Better Place

by | Feb 23, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Longing for a Better Place

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord… Psalm 84:1

Heavenly Father, 

As we read the words of the pilgrim psalmist, 

who longed to be with you in your beautiful temple, 

to live with you forever in worship, 

may our longing for our heavenly home grow. 

We all long for the kind of place this “son of Korah” describes, 

a place where “birds find nooks and crannies” 

and “sparrows and swallows make their nests” 

because it is 

a safe place, 

a pleasant place, 

a peaceful place. 

Help us to remember that we are but 

“strangers” on this earth, 

scattered exiles (see Hebrews 11:13), 

that while we have work to do here and joys to experience, 

one day we will live with you forever, 

in your heavenly home. 

In that day 

our faces will shine “with your gracious anointing” (Ps. 84:9, The MSG). 

In that day, 

we will realize that 

“One day spent in your house, 

this beautiful place of worship, 

beats thousands spent on Greek island beaches” (Ps. 84:10, The MSG). 

In that day, 

we will see and sing with all your saints,

“All sunshine and sovereign is God, 

generous in gifts and glory” (Ps. 84:11, The MSG).

How we long for that day!

Amen.

Read Psalm 84; Hebrews 11:13. 



A Prayer about Thanking God for Unanswered Prayers

by | Feb 22, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Thanking God for Unanswered Prayers

What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? Luke 11:10

Good Father, 

I’ve been thinking a lot about prayers I prayed 

that you didn’t answer the way I wanted 

or prayers that you answered 

with those two hard words, “not yet” or “no.” 

For many of those answers, 

I am now so grateful:

Thank you for not getting me back together 

with that mean high school boyfriend,

Thank you for not letting us

get that house I wanted in my friends’ neighborhood,

Thank you for not giving me that full scholarship to college 

that seemed like a dream come true 

(because I might never have transferred to the college where I met my husband)…

[Name some “prayers answered differently” that you are now thankful for].

I confess, God, there are some prayers I’ve prayed 

that are still answered “not yet” 

and prayers for which I didn’t honestly love your answer: 

The prayer you would heal my mother 

when she was sick with Covid.

The prayer that our children would be healthy every day of their lives.

[Name some “answered differently” prayers you’re not so sure about].

And yet, we cannot, we do not, doubt your love for us. 

We cannot, we do not, doubt you want the best for us. 

We do believe that you are a good Father 

who is working your best plan 

not only for our good 

but also for the good of your kingdom. 

And we’re grateful to be part of that kingdom plan. 

Thank you for hearing our prayers.

In Jesus’ faithful name. Amen.

Read Matthew 6:5-15.



A Prayer about Trustworthy and True Promises

by | Feb 21, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about Trustworthy and True Promises

And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Revelation 21:5

Lord Jesus,

We do need to “Write this down, 

for these words are trustworthy and true” (Revelation 21:5).

Sadly, many people who say they know you 

teach and preach words that are not trustworthy and true. 

They tell people to “name it and claim it,” 

and they will be healed. 

As we read your trustworthy and true words, though, 

we see you make no such promises 

for healing to happen in our time in our way. 

What you do promise is that the day is coming 

when “the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations,” (Revelation 22:2),

when all broken things will be restored (Revelation 21:5). 

That day will come when you return, 

and we can’t wait. 

In that day, there will be full and forever healing 

unlike anything we’ve ever imagined. 

Help us to look to that day even in the worst days of this life.

In your redeeming and restoring name we ask. Amen. 

Read Revelation 21:1-5, 22:1-5. 



A Prayer about the Coming of God’s Kingdom

by | Feb 20, 2025 | Daily Prayer, Gospel living, Spiritual Growth

A Prayer about the Coming of God’s Kingdom

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10

Heavenly Father,

Forgive us for ever mumbling this prayer by rote, 

not really thinking about what we are asking for.

The fact is, this is a radical prayer. 

It is a prayer you invite us to pray daily. 

It is a prayer for when a marriage falls apart, 

for when economic woes threaten our business, 

for when a house is under water after a flood. 

When we pray this prayer, 

we remember whose kingdom we’re seeking—yours. 

You are a God characterized by “holy stubbornness,” 

a “refusal to accept ruin.”* 

You are the God who repaired broken creation 

by becoming man and dying on a cross. 

Your kingdom is characterized by shalom, 

universal flourishing, “heavenly wholeness.”*

Your kingdom is the kingdom 

that opposes the kingdom of darkness. 

To pray “your kingdom come” 

is to ask Jesus to defeat the destroyer’s efforts today. 

To pray “your kingdom come” 

is to repent of our tendencies 

to create small kingdoms by placing ourselves, 

our loved ones, our work, our homes, 

or any other thing we see as ours, 

on the throne of our lives. 

Indeed, Lord, your kingdom come.

In Jesus’ coming name. Amen.

Read Matthew 6:7-15.

*Quotes from Nathan Bierma’s great book, Bringing Heaven down to Earth