NEW YEAR - 3 Day Devotional on Faith and PurposeSample

DAY 2 - PRAYER - ABIDING IN PEACE

I have always understood that prayer is simply talking to God, like a friend. I still believe this to be true, but I am coming to understand that it is much more. That assuring passage in Philippians 4:6–7 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

I love this, and I thank You, God, for listening and caring about my needs. Today, though, I encourage us to look deeper into what it means to have access to an all-knowing, all-caring God. Prayer is not about changing God’s mind—it’s about aligning ours with His. In prayer, we surrender control and invite God to speak into our lives, plans, fears, and dreams.

Can I be completely vulnerable right now? I have struggled with coming to God for the small, everyday things. With a God who has the entire world to care for, does He really care about my laundry getting done, my cooking, or my everyday to-do list?

I do believe that through Jesus, I have everything I need. What more can I ask for? I am free, delivered, and I have a secure future. But does God need me to come to Him with my mundane problems? I have unconsciously said to God, “I’ve got this.” It’s as if I don’t want to burden Him, so I carry the weight of that burden myself. But Paul encourages us not to worry; instead, to come to God in prayer—tell Him what we need and be grateful.

I must confess that when I am worried or overwhelmed, I am often less grateful, and at times, I can even be mean. I am human—please don’t judge me. Gratitude produces peace, and that peace guards our hearts and minds as we live in Christ Jesus. I believe that the product or a result of a prayerful life is peace. Prayer isn’t just asking God for things—it is abiding in Him, abiding in His peace.

As a compass always points north, so should our prayer life always point and lead us to Jesus—the Prince of Peace.

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” — Romans 15:13 (ESV)

Let us, in this New Year, begin our days with morning surrender, midday gratitude, and evening reflection. (As I write this, I invite you to join me in creating daily reminders on our phones.)

As we come to the Lord and surrender our daily lives, may we live as in 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

PRAYER: Jesus, Thank you for you are my peace. I surrender everything to you, from the big to the small. I know you love me and desire to bless me with the presence of your peace.

Reflection Questions:

1. What areas of my life do I try to control instead of surrendering to God in prayer?
2. How can I make prayer a natural part of my daily rhythm?
3. Who can I begin praying for consistently this year?