God's Strategy for Personal Peace

Psalm 100:4 says, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.” When we slow down and begin our prayers with worship, adoration, and thanksgiving to God, it does something inside us. There is a shift of focus from our needs to our God, which brings everything into a clearer perspective. In recognizing who God is and who we are in comparison, our prayer time can deepen our relationship with Him.

As you read and pray the following prayers for inner peace, my prayer is that your thoughts will turn to the One who is greater than all our fears and circumstances. Even in the World of the End, Almighty God is our peace.

1. Pray for peace when you don’t know what to do.

Lord, You are mighty. You know the end from the beginning and all the details in between. You know my heart better than I do. Not only do You see the big picture, but You also see the details that I don’t understand. Lord, I don’t know what to do in this situation. I need your help. God, what would You have me do? What decision would best honor You and the people around me? Lord, thank You that You give wisdom abundantly. Lord, please give me Your wisdom for this situation. Please help me to know what to do and say. (James 1:4; 3:15-17)

God, what would You have me do?

2. Pray for peace when you’re trying too hard.

God, You sacrificed Your Son, Jesus, so I could spend eternity with You. He paid my debts, and now I am His joint-heir. Thank You for Your unconditional love that isn’t dependent upon me or anything I try to do, but only upon You and Your sacrifice on my behalf. Thank You for loving me before I loved You.

Lord, I’ve been burning the candle at both ends—trying to be and do everything for everybody. I’ve been trying so hard to please You that I’ve forgotten to lean on You for strength. God, I’m worn out. I want to rest in You. Guide me in what You have for me to do today. I don’t want to take one step without Your presence to lead and guide me. I acknowledge that I need You every hour of every day. Thank You for sending Jesus not only to be my Savior but my Counselor, Friend, and Guide. I rest in knowing I am not alone on life’s journey. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Matthew 11:28-30)

God, I’m worn out. I want to rest in You. Guide me in what You have for me to do today. I don’t want to take one step without Your presence to lead and guide me.

3. Pray for peace when you question your value.

Lord, You are my Father, and I am Your child. The Bible says I am fearfully and wonderfully made—thank you for that knowledge. You know my thoughts before I do. You know every hair on my head. You call me righteous and holy because the blood of Jesus has washed me clean. You call me chosen and beloved. God, thank You that You speak these words of truth over me through Your Word. I feel worthless and anxious, but I know You say I am valuable. You proved Your love when Your Son died in my place. God, would You steady my heart? Thank You that I can stand firm, knowing my identity is in You and that You are always with me. Thank You for Your peace that passes all understanding. Please help me to walk in this truth today. (Psalm 139:14; Matthew 10:29-31; Hebrews 10:35)

4. Pray for peace when your to-do list runs long.

God, You are a holy and gracious God. You are my provider. You sustain me and give my life order and meaning. You know all that I need to accomplish today. Lord, I want to start and end my day with You—to be still in Your presence. Please give me the wisdom to discern the difference between what is urgent and what is important. Thank You that there is nothing You have called me to do that You won’t give me the strength to accomplish. Help me be aware of my need to stop and be still—to dwell in your presence and rest in Your peace. (Psalm 46:10; Matthew 6:25-34)

5. Pray for peace when you feel overwhelmed.

God, You are my rock. My anchor. My strong tower. But, Lord, everything seems to be out of control right now. I’m overwhelmed, but I know that You are with me. Please help me to stay calm. God, please steady my heart and my mind. I want to make decisions today based on Your love for me, not my fears. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. You hem me in on all sides and place Your hand of protection upon me. I will trust in the shelter You provide—You are my refuge. I will trust in You. (Psalm 61; Psalm 139:5)

God, please steady my heart and my mind. I want to make decisions today based on Your love for me, not my fears.

6. Pray for peace when someone you know is in pain or suffering loss.

God, I know You work all things together for the good of those who love You. I know You use pain and hardship to refine us and make us more like You. God, You make all things new and beautiful in their time. Right now, I am worried about this person in my life. I pray they turn to You in their suffering and pain and not look for answers in what the world offers. I lay all my worries and cares about them at Your feet. Thank You for promising to carry them. Thank You for being the Great Physician and healing our deepest wounds. (Romans 5:3-5; 8:28; Isaiah 43:18-19; Psalm 55:22)

7. Pray for peace when you feel hopeless.

God, my hope is in You. When I call, You answer me. No matter what people say of me or what I think of myself or my circumstances, I know You are my shield and my protector. Please strengthen my hope in You. As I recall your faithfulness to me, it reminds me of Your goodness, Your greatness. Thank You for blessing me and keeping me. I can’t see what You are doing, but I patiently wait for You to act. My hope and trust are in You. (Psalm 3:2-6; 71:14; Romans 8:24-25; 1 Peter 5:6-7)