Prayer is the answer for the Peace you desire

My parents and I always had great times. I remember moving into the house where I would live for most of my life until I was married. There, when I was around five years old, my Dad put up a basketball goal in our back yard. To a five year old, a basketball was all you could handle and more, but I remember my Dad teaching me about a game that I would eventually grow to love.

My parents were always giving me life lessons: say your "Mams" and "Sirs." I watched my Dad take notes in church and my Mom do her devotions early in the morning as the first one up. There were all sorts of anxious moments in life ~ grades, friends, self-confidence and doubt that I dealt with. Through it all, even when I was trying to take care of life on my own, I heard my parents say, "I can't help you if you don't tell me what's going on."

We have all been influenced by someone, and be taught the rules of the game. Some of us, though, still try and take life on by ourselves. You were never meant to live life on your own. In fact, we all have a Heavenly Father who still says, "I can't help you unless you tell me what is going on."

That's why a guy names Paul wrote some thoughts to a bunch of people saying, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Phil 4:6) Paul was not saying that you should slap some joy on your face, but you find joy in your faith. God wants more for you than from you, and walks with you through every act of life regardless of your decision to turn to him. God is always at work, even before we respond, to show us the love that is given to us.

"Why should I pray, if God is supposed to know it all?" Prayer is not always about affecting God, but rather influencing us. Prayer is our reminder to ourselves, as we approach God's throne, that we are in need of someone to help, protect, provide and so much more. Prayer, especially combined with the necessary ingredient of thanksgiving, helps us throughout life know that the God who has worked in the past is faithful to walk with us into the future.

Paul continues in his letter saying, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heats and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:7) You have either walked through troubles, are in the middle of a trial now, and you are guaranteed to experience them later. Paul is writing from jail not because of some bad deed but because of his faith. He expresses that this peace passes all understanding ~ your mind is not able to produce the powerful peace that only God can provide.

So what are you facing? What thing in your past wakes you up at night? What issue with your children, health, job causes stress though the day? What decision, or medical situation causes anxiety for you these days. In each of these moments, and more, know there is a Heavenly Father saying, "I can't help you if you unless you tell me what's going on." As you stand firm in your faith, you will definitely find that prayer is the answer for the peace you desire.