Peace in the End-of-Summer Chaos - Your Nightly Prayer - September 28th

Audio By Carbonatix

Peace in the End-of-Summer Chaos
Your Nightly Prayer
by Clarence Haynes Jr.

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

"The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace." - Psalm 29:11

SOMETHING TO PONDER

The end of summer comes with rejoicing for some and lamenting for others. Parents rejoice at the idea of the kids returning to school (at least I do), while kids lament being back in the classroom (or prison, as my daughter calls it). Regardless of your feelings, summer usually goes way too fast and probably has more activities than you could handle. For many, summer could include day camps, maybe the annual family reunion, and possibly that long road trip filled with the repetitive question of how much longer until we get there?

Whatever your summer was like, it represents the end of a season, and in that regard, it is a lot like life. This past summer included a big change I did not see coming. In the middle of summer, I learned my job would be ending. Coupled with the family visits and all the other summer activities, it was another reason for chaos.

However, like every other summer moment, there is peace amid the chaos. In fact, that is truly what God’s peace is. God’s peace is not the absence of chaos, but peace in the middle of it. That’s why peace is one of God's greatest gifts in life. It’s also why the psalmist called it a blessing.

There are many things in life to worry about. I know because I have a few on my plate right now. However, worry does not increase our strength; it depletes it. Worry causes us to lose sleep, lose confidence, and lose hope. It affects our mind, body, and soul. Is there any wonder why God wants to replace all our worry with peace? When peace reigns in our hearts, we can sleep like a baby. It does not mean our situation has changed; it means our outlook on it has. That is the blessing that comes from God’s peace.

As we end another summer and look forward to the next season (football season for me), know that whatever you are dealing with right now, God wants to give you the blessing of peace. His strength is available when you feel weak, and his peace can overflow in your heart even though everything around you may seem chaotic. His peace gives you the confidence to know he is already in control and working things out for your good.

There is one more lesson to remember, as I am also learning through this season. Peace is not something we can produce on our own. It is a gift we must receive. Peace will come when we draw close to God and rest in his presence. It is there we will find peace that surpasses all our understanding.

We have a choice. We can spend our nights worrying about what tomorrow may bring, or place our future in the hands of the one who holds tomorrow. Only one of these choices leads to God’s perfect peace. I don’t think I need to tell you which one it is.

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Lord,
I am thankful that, though times change and seasons change, you remain the same. As I come to the end of one season and look to the next, please help me to always keep my eyes on you. Father, you know that when things get chaotic, there may be a tendency to worry. I pray in those moments that I would run to your presence, where you can remove worry and give me the blessing of your peace. As I receive your peace, help me to sleep well knowing that you have everything under control and I can fully rest in you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. Your hope should always be in the unchanging God, not in the changing circumstances of life.

2. When things are uncertain in your life, you must focus on what is certain.    

3. God wants to give you peace in your heart, but it will only come from his presence.

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/diego_cervo

Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a speaker, Bible teacher, and co-founder of The Bible Study Club.  He is the author of The Pursuit of Purpose which will help you understand how God leads you into his will. His most recent book is The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. This book will teach you how to put the pieces together so you can live a victorious Christian life and finally become the man or woman of God that you truly desire to be. Clarence is also committed to helping 10,000 people learn how to study the Bible and has just released his first Bible study course called Bible Study Basics. To learn more about his ministry please visit clarencehaynes.com.  

Now that you've prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below!