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•A Prayer for Peace Within•By Anthony ValenteYou may have heard of, or read, the Bible verses from Philippians 4:6-7:👉 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. But read what comes before these verses in verses 4-5: 👉 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. And after in verses 8-9:👉 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Along with clinging onto the promise of peace which "transcends all understanding", there are actions to take that will help you attain that peace: they seem so simple but can be so hard when you’re going through difficult times — but persevere! •rejoice in the Lord•give thanks•pray•think about good things— Is your heart troubled? Are you feeling like the events around you are out of control and it's beginning to take a toll on your mental and emotional peace? One of the hardest parts of knowing peace is understanding how it has nothing to do with control. If you're having trouble with trusting God or finding the words to pray above the howling of the scary storms, feel free to offer up this prayer to the Lord.Let’s pray.🙏 ‘O Lord, Sometimes my insides feel like a battle zone, where missiles are falling too close to home. Other times I'm caught in an endless storm, with thoughts flying out of control. Confusion reigns and defeat creeps in to steal my joy. I need Your peace—the deep-down-in-your-heart kind that stays with me day and night and speaks confidently into the wind. Calm my anxious spirit, Lord; all the attacking "if-only's" and "what-ifs" fill me with needless worry. I know that trust is a big part of experiencing peace and that fear has no place in my life. Most of the things I worry about or dread don't even happen. So I'm declaring my trust in You. I'm releasing the reins of my life again and asking You to take control. I may need to pray this same prayer daily, but I'm tired of the frenzy of life that leaves my schedule and my thoughts without any margin. I need more of You, Lord, and less of me. I surrender and admit: I can't control people, plans, or even all my circumstances, but I can yield those things to You, and focus on Your goodness. Thank You today for every good gift You’ve given, every blessing You’ve sent, all the forgiveness I did not deserve, and, yes, for every trial You’ve allowed into my life. You bring good out of every circumstance if I'll only let go and believe You. I know that when I pray and give thanks instead of worrying, You have promised that I can experience the kind of peace that passes all understanding. That's Your kind of peace, Lord. And it's the kind I crave. Whenever I’m stressed, anxious, or afraid, help me remember to run to You. You're the only one that can calm my fears and end my fretful behavior. Whether in trivial or heavy matters, I know You will not only give me peace; Lord, You will be my peace. And when I draw close to You — in prayer, in reading Your Word, in helping another, in taking my mind off myself — You will be there, up close and personal. I can't handle these times alone, Lord. Will You speak peace and calm my storms, or hold my hand while we walk through them together? Will You bring the reassuring wisdom of those who have come through similar times into my life? Thank You, Lord. I'm trusting You. In the name of the One who makes the wind and the waves stand still. I love You Lord Jesus.AMEN 🙏 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.(John 14:27)The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.(Psalm 29:11)“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”(John 16:33)“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”(Isaiah 53:5)Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.(James 4:8)“Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.”(Proverbs 12:20)Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?(Psalm 118:5-6)He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.(John 3:30)Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.(James 1:12)Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.(Psalm 91:7)Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.(1 Peter 5:6-7)We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.(2 Corinthians 4:8-9)Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.(Matthew 11:28-30)Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”(Isaiah 30:21)We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.(Romans 5:3-5)But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.(Matthew 6:6)An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.(Luke 22:43-44)May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.(Romans 15:13)“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”(Psalm 46:10)(pic verse)The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.(Psalm 145:18)Artist 👨‍🎨 I Am With You Always - David Delfeld