Sharing: Praying for Peace

Chronic Illness, Chronic Joy Ministry

Etched in Pain

When the curtain of night falls around me, sometimes I can identify with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. As the pain begins to ramp up in my various places of inflammation, I can almost feel the expression on my face begin to change. Any peace I may have felt earlier in the day has suddenly drifted away with the darkness. And then when I finally lie down in bed, my mind begins its own roaring:

  • “Where is that pain coming from?”
  • “Why is that flame-thrower hitting my feet now?”
  • “Oh no, here comes the throbbing again!”

And now the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde arguing begins:

  • “Stop worrying! You know these pains, they are nothing new.”
  • “Just quit dwelling on it all. You are too tired to care anyway.”
  •  “Why can’t I think any good thoughts now? Where is my peace??”

Finally, I realize the true questions that need to be asked.

Invited to Pray

While I have been trying to strum up my own peace and fight off my own fears, Jesus has been waiting to hear my voice all along. HE is the one who will bring peace to me. And so I lie back on my pillow once again, but now the words have changed as I voice my prayers to the Lord:

  • “Jesus, will you meet me here?”
  • “Jesus, I long to know your peace within my heart.”
  • “Lord, I am placing all of my questions before you now, and I will cling to your Word tonight.”

Soothed with His Peace

Where my mind had been aching, only moments before, now it is aware of the flutters of peace. Jesus is the way to find the true peace of God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7 NIV

This month at Chronic Joy, we have gathered four prayer prompts, one for each week of the month, with precious Scriptures to lead us into the Lord’s heart of peace. I am going to be pausing with them before I face my night’s darkness again. Will you join me in praying?

I would love to invite you to Click here to read the rest of this Prayer Prompt at the Chronic Joy Website, and to hear this month’s Audio Blog on Praying For Peace.

I am linking with: #RememberMeMonday #TellHisStory

Published by Bettie G

Jesus follower, Wife, Mom, and Grandma, journeying through chronic illness one day at a time

Published

31 thoughts on “Sharing: Praying for Peace”

  1. I can completely relate to the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde…….and the thoughts that came especially at night. That is when I beg for grace, mercy and some sleep! The gentleman singing has a very soothing voice, thank you for sharing Bettie! It is very nice to “see” you again!

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    1. Dear Wendi,
      OH, it’s so nice to “see” you again! I have been praying for you over this summer. What a precious gift our Lord brings to us in the middle of our need for “grace, mercy, and some sleep!” I am so grateful that He calls us to pray for each other then too. Blessings and love to you dear friend. xo

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      1. awww………thank you so very much for your prayers……..I know those are what got me through a very busy and emotional summer. Thank you so very much…….I am sending prayers up also for you my friend………

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    1. Oh Dear Jennifer,
      I love it when the Lord brings a theme that way and confirms His Word to us! May we rest in His grace and mercy during these dark and restless nights. Blessings and love to you, dear friend!
      P.S. I’m heading over to your site now!

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    1. Dear Athira,
      Oh, yes, I also love that song, “God will make a way” that Don Moen sings! What a great reminder today. Thank you for your sweet encouragement. His love is so precious!! Blessings and love to you, sweet friend!

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  4. Wow, Bettie, you really captured our fluctuating hearts and minds with this image of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It reminds me of the scripture, “I do not do what I want to do….” Our spirits are willing but our flesh is weak. Thank you for reminding us that Jesus is always waiting for us. Not at the end of the pain, but right in the midst of our pain. Oh Jesus, give us eyes to see you afresh and arms that reach for you quickly and easily. Be our first thought. Be our first cry. Be our first love.
    Blessings to you, dear sister! Thank you for your ministry of mercy and truth.

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    1. Dear Melissa,
      Yes, that Scripture is so true! Our flesh is so weak on our own. But what a precious Savior we have. Thank you for sharing your precious prayer here. I join with you today, asking Him to keep my heart lifted to Him in the midst of it all–my true First Love. Blessings and grace to you dear sister!

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    1. Yes, isn’t it amazing how those old hymns can just uncover the veil and lift us into His presence? I’m so thankful for His gifts of music. Blessings and love to you dear friend!

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  6. Thank you for sharing so transparently here. Indeed, it can be such a struggle between dwelling in the peace of Christ and “looking at the waves”. I have found the Psalms my solace when this war is going on within me. Seeing how the Psalmist prayed in their own weakness and doubts, but at the same time praising God through it all gives my heart encouragement that I am not alone in my weakness and that God’s faithfulness is just as true for me as it was for them.

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    1. Dear Karen,
      Yes, I love the Psalms also. Somehow those verses go straight to my heart and meet me in the most hurtful places. I am so glad that He lets us know that we are not alone in the hard times. He truly is so faithful. Thank you for your precious reminders here today! Blessings to you.

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  7. Awww, Bettie. Thank you for this post, and for those four prayers. Phil 4:6-8 has ministered to my heart and thoughts more times than I can say. I, too, have been in that place where Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde war within my thoughts. Fixing our thoughts on Jesus and bringing all of it before Him is what helps us move from the warring to the peace.

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    1. Amen, dear Jeanne. Bringing all of our thoughts and hurts to Jesus really does move us from that place of warring and into HIS peace for us. I am so grateful that He is so gentle with us, and He knows how slow our thoughts and focus on Him. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts here! Blessings to you today.

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    1. Thank you so much for your prayers, Lynn. I am so grateful for the way that God nudges us so gently to let go of our control. He has such peace right there for us! Blessings to you this week.

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  9. Dear Bettie, it’s true that darkness tends to bring out the most fearful side of us. Peace can definitely feel elusive when we struggle to sleep and sharp jolts of pain intrude and keep us awake. I can strongly relate to this post and these words especially: “While I have been trying to strum up my own peace and fight off my own fears, Jesus has been waiting to hear my voice all along. HE is the one who will bring peace to me.” Deep soul peace just isn’t achievable by our desire alone. It really does require God’s heavenly touch. I’m praying He will bless you with diminishing pain, greater rest and sleep and a deeper sense of His calming peace. Much love and gentle hugs to you, sweet friend! PS: I’ve responded over at the Chronic Joy Ministry site as well. xoxo 💜

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    1. Dear Joy,
      Thank you so much for understanding these painful places, dear sister. When those jolts of pain awaken us and insomnia settles in then, it “does require God’s heavenly touch.” OH, how thankful I am that He steps in and brings the peace that we so deeply need. I am so very grateful for all of your prayers and encouragement my friend. And I pray those same thoughts over you too, even though the sun is not long for rising there for you across the pond. May the Lord bless your morning with peace also. Hugs, love and blessings to you too. xoxo

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    1. Dear LIsa,
      Yes, I am amazed at how quickly I drift into that place of roaring. I am so grateful that He always calls us back to prayer, where His peace is waiting. Blessings to you tonight, dear friend.

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  11. Sometimes those middle of the night prayers are the best ones. I find that until I let go of what is bothering me (and for you, it is the pain) I can’t go to sleep. It is the peace of God that sets me free.

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    1. Dear Mary,
      Oh, yes, truly God’s peace brings us such freedom and rest. I’m so grateful that He helps us with those things that are such a heavy weight for us. Blessings and hugs for you as you go forward with His leading!

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