A Prayer for Peace When Life Feels Uncertain - Your Daily Prayer - November 9
Your Daily Prayer
Audio By Carbonatix
By Laura Bailey, Crosswalk.com
A Prayer for Peace When Life Feels Uncertain
By Laura Bailey
Bible Reading
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” - Isaiah 26:3 ESV
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“You know, I am not exactly sure what this is; I am going to refer you to a specialist,” the doctor said as he typed up his notes. “Do you have any questions?” he prompted.
Yes, I do, a lot, actually. My thoughts began to spiral:
Do I have cancer?
Is this treatable?
How long do I have to live?
Will I be able to see my daughters graduate from college?
I remained silent, twisting my hands and fighting back the tears pooling in the corner of my eyes. My doctor placed a hand on my shoulder and tried to comfort me. “Laura, it’s going to be okay. Try not to worry,” he said.
Sitting in my car, replaying the morning’s events, I couldn’t stop the intrusive thoughts. I began running through multiple scenarios, which naturally led me to the conclusion that I would be parting from this world next week. I knew this line of thought was irrational; still, I couldn’t cut through the noise. In what I can only attribute to the Holy Spirit speaking to my heart, I called a friend, shared the situation, and asked if we could meet up and talk.
Over steaming cups of coffee, I shared with her my recent news, all the what-ifs, my fears, and anxieties that I was certain would come to fruition. She didn’t shame me or make me feel silly; instead, she grabbed my hand and said, “Have you talked to God about this?” My cheeks reddened; I’d thought and talked a lot about my doctor’s visit, but I hadn’t prayed about it.
“Before we talk anymore, let's pray.” After lifting me in prayer, my friend shared a verse from Isaiah that gives her comfort when she is going through a difficult time. Isaiah 26:3: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” For context, the prophet Isaiah was telling the Israelites they were about to go into captivity. I can’t imagine the fear upon hearing this news, the crippling anxiety knowing that you and your family were headed for exile at the hands of a notoriously brutal group of people.
Still, even amid the uncertainty, Isaiah calls the Israelites to trust in God. He reminds them that no matter their circumstances, they can experience perfect peace. God is faithful— He can be trusted to keep His promises. Even when life is chaotic, and it seems like all hope is lost, we can still experience peace—not the peace the world gives, but peace that comes from a mind firmly fixed on the Lord.
Internal peace comes from trusting that the Lord’s got it— no matter what we are going through, we don’t have to worry, because ultimately He is working all things for our good and His glory ( Romans 8:28). That doesn’t mean life is going to be easy, or we won't experience difficulty—but we don't have to allow our circumstances or the chaos of this world to drive us to fear or anxiety. We can experience perfect peace because we know that God is good and he can be trusted in all things.
Fortunately, after a few more rounds of testing, I received the all-clear from my doctor. While I am grateful my results came back negative this time, I know something else will come along to threaten my peace. I hope that when that day comes, I will cling to Isaiah's encouragement and remain steadfast, fixing my thoughts on the Lord, because I trust in Him.
Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father, I am grateful that You are God who invites Your children to commune with You through Prayer. May I always cry out to You first, sharing all aspects of my life, my fears, anxiety, excitement, and frustrations; You desire to hear it all. Lord, I ask that You help me keep my thoughts firmly fixed on You. In a world full of distractions, let me seek You by meditating on Your Word, fellowshiping with other believers, and remaining in constant contact through prayer. I love You, Lord, and fully trust in You. You are faithful, and You keep Your promises yesterday, today, and for all of eternity. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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Photo Credit: Unsplash/Linus Nylund
Laura Bailey is an author and Bible teacher who encourages others to understand what they believe, why it matters, and how to apply biblical truths to their lives. Laura holds a certificate in Biblical Women's Studies from SEBTS and serves as a workplace chaplain and the director of women’s ministries at her church. She is the author of multiple books and Bible studies; her most recent one on Habakkuk explores Habakkuk’s message of hope Amid Uncertainty. She lives in Upstate South Carolina with her husband and 3 daughters. She attends Macedonia Baptist Church, where she is the director of Women’s Ministry and teaches Bible studies weekly. Learn more about her ministry and her books: www.LauraRBailey.com
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