How to Pray for Peace
The world isn’t a very peaceful place. Wars seem to always be raging, environmental disasters force people to evacuate their homes, and there seems to be more political and social upheaval now than at any time in recent history.
This lack of peace around us can soon become a lack of peace within us. Praying for peace is one way we can regain a sense of calm in the face of fear and uncertainty. It can also help us to become a more peaceful presence in the lives of people around us.
But it can be hard to do! After all, it’s hard to talk about peace, or imagine peace is possible with the constant news cycle telling us otherwise. So, what do we do? How do we pray for peace in difficult times?
It comes down to preparing your mind and developing a practice of prayer. Here are some steps I’ve taken to pray for peace.
1. Find a Quiet Place to Think and Pray
You can pray anywhere, because God is everywhere. But as you are learning how to pray or reconnect with a practice of prayer, it’s helpful to find a quiet place to think about God and pray to Him.
You might pray in your room with the door closed. You might light a candle. Or you might walk or sit outdoors in a quiet place. Wherever reminds you of God’s presence and makes you feel calmer, those are great places to pray.
2. Read and Meditate on Scriptures About Peace from God’s Word
The Bible has many verses that show us we can turn to God when we are seeking peace and ask Him for help in prayer.
Here are a couple of verses I often turn to for encouragement:
- Philippians 4:7 - “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23 - “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Before you pray, read these scriptures aloud (or any verses you find comforting that remind you of God’s peace). Read them slowly and carefully. Notice what stands out to you about God, His love, and His peace, from each verse you read.
After you read a verse, take some time to think about it. Don’t rush into prayer or into another activity. Think about how the verses you’ve chosen are true right now, for you. You may be able to do this just by sitting quietly and thinking things through. Or it may be helpful to write your thoughts in a journal.
3. Turn with Confidence to God
Preparing your mind and heart to pray can help you feel more focused, less anxious, and have greater confidence your prayers will be heard. If you’ve spent time thinking about Bible verses about peace, and you’ve been reminding yourself that God is a God of peace who will guard your mind and heart out of His love for you, that faith will become part of your prayer practice.
Here are some things you can remember to help you turn to God in prayer with more confidence:
- Prayer is not about being perfect. It is about talking and listening to God, who loves you deeply.
- God is already with you. You can pray anytime, anywhere, and He will hear you.
- Peace is a part of who God is and how He shows His love for us. Spending time in prayer will help your sense of peace, because you are spending time with God.
4. Pour Out Your Fears, Anxieties, Worries, and Cares to God
God cares about you and everything you are dealing with. Whether you are a new believer, have been raised to believe in God, or don’t know what you believe about God, you are loved by God. He has always been with you and known about your life, even during times when you have had no faith, or have not thought or known about Him.
There is nothing you can say or feel that He does not understand, because He created all of us with this wealth of thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
You can open up to God fully when you pray. It can be honest. It can be messy. You can say a lot. You can be silent. Whatever you do, God will be there. He desires to hear your prayers. And since He created you, you can be your full and honest self with Him when you pray.
5. Pray and Ask God for His peace.
Prayer can and should be a time of praise and gratitude. But prayer is also simply letting God know what we need and asking Him to help us. When it’s time to pray, if you want to pray for peace, you can ask God for it directly.
Sometimes, it’s hard to know what to say when we pray. Powerful prayers can come from Scripture. You can use some of the scriptures you looked up in your prayer. Here’s an example of a prayer to pray:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I turn to you right now. I need your peace. You are the God of Peace. You and your peace are greater than any struggle I face. Please give me comfort and peace. Take away my fears and anxiety and replace them with deep peace. Help me to stay grounded on you as my rock-solid foundation and humble myself to pray. Nothing is certain in our world except for you! Give me wisdom on how to go about my life, who I can help, and what to do. Help me to wholeheartedly trust you! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
If you say a prayer like this each day, you will feel more connected to God, and will experience His perfect peace. If you need more support to help you in your faith journey, you can talk to a HopeCoach at TheHopeLine anytime. We are here for you, and we are ready to listen without judgment. We look forward to encouraging you and supporting you in your faith.
Do you often feel afraid and uneasy about what the future holds? Read through these 18 bible verses to help you overcome your fears through God’s Help and Hope.
Am so glad to have come across this site,this is God at work,I feel calm now after praying those prayers, God bless you sir/ma for the great work, wish for you more inspiration in Jesus mighty name.