Peace in Prayer
A Milestone Prayer
About 9 years ago, I was sitting in my car writing a letter to God. Letters to God had become a frequent practice for me since I started seeing a counselor a little over a year prior. As I worked through issues I had suppressed for most of my life, a pronounced sickness in my stomach and a fog at the back of my head plagued me. I was finally paying attention to my body and, boy, was it talking. We had a lot to catch up on.
In my car, I pulled out my notebook and wrote. I asked God to remove the sickness in my stomach and the fog in the back of my head. I asked Him to replace it with a calm stomach and clear mind. As I sat there, it felt like a Pepto Bismol-like coating covered my stomach. The anxiety and sickness left. The fog dissipated and left me with clarity.
I was stunned. Had a prayer been answered just now? Did I even believe in God before this moment? I felt so seen and connected to God. He actually cared. I cognitively knew He cared, but in that moment I knew He cared.
It was a powerful moment for me. After that, my body was able to utilize the emotions of fear and confusion in what felt like appropriate ways. It was no longer impairing. I am so grateful for that memory because it is a milestone for me of the truth that God cares and is listening. That answered prayer freed me up to focus on things outside of myself.
I share that personal encounter under the reality that not every prayer is answered right way or with the result we hope for. I read through my past journals and there are other prayers I have prayed that remain unanswered to my knowledge… but I look back to that time in my car and I thank God.
There’s a time and place for praying for one’s self. However, some of my most meaningful moments in life have been when I couldn’t pray for myself and leaned on the prayers of others.
I don’t understand the mysteries of prayer — how God is present for all of us at all times… how prayers can seemingly change or impact an outcome… how Jesus intercedes for us… how prayer connects us to one another…
There are big unknowns, but I know prayer is important. At Desert Road Ministries, we are dedicated to creating a safe place for ministry leaders and their families to grow and heal however God has ordained. I believe this to be a dangerous mission because Satan does not want spiritual leaders to flourish.
As part of our Broom Tree Initiative, the Desert Road team is asking that you pray for three things: us, the ministry, and the people we serve.
Us.
That God will cover and protect us from spiritual attack, that our lives would be daily surrendered and devoted to God, and that God provides us with all we need to accomplish His will.
The Ministry.
That it serves the purposes God has in store for it. That we, as a team, are in tune with God’s direction. That we are able to get the support we need to operate.
Those We Serve.
It can be difficult to acknowledge the need for help and own up to “unacceptable” struggles. Please pray that God brings to us those that need our services. Pray that they receive the help they need. Pray that the healing they experience impacts the people they serve.
Peace in Prayer
Looking back at the letters I wrote to God 9 years ago, I can see that some were answered and some are still in waiting. What happens consistently when I pray is this: I receive peace.
A well-known encouragement from the apostle Paul to the believers in Philippi goes like this:
The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
As I connected with God in prayer, I experienced peace, freedom, and joy like I’d never known. Will you join me in this practice and pray for Desert Road? In turn, let us know how we can pray for you! Fill out our contact form with any prayer requests you may have and we will intercede for you. We look forward to hearing from you!