“As we fill and fix our thoughts on the Lord, he brings us and keeps us into a state of perfect peace.” Isa. 26:3
Lord Jesus, you haven’t promised us a storm-less, hassle-free, stress-empty life. But you have promised to bring us into a rich experience of your circumstance-transcending peace and to keep us there. Hallelujah for your keeping power, Jesus. We’re prone to wander, but you’re more prone and successful at reeling us in and bringing us back to where we belong—in vital intimacy with yourself and the peace only you can give.
You are the Prince of Peace, not just the dispenser of the “peaceful, easy feeling” the Eagles sing about. Indeed, Jesus, you promise to keep us in perfect peace—not in semi, partial, or wanna-be peace. You give us a peace that passes, surpasses, and even bypasses our ability to make sense of things—including your ways and timing (Phil.4:7). Thank you.
All we have to do is mine the riches of the Gospel and keep in mind the wonders of your love. Jesus, at times this is really hard to do, so help us. Our thought life is often like a bunch of wild horses—running here, there, and everywhere. So, corral our thinking by the power of your Holy Spirit. Bring our thoughts back into the perspective-giving, heart-freeing, peace-fueling reality of who you are. Jesus, your beauty, goodness, and truth should be our primary and precious preoccupation.
And show us the ways we sabotage our experience of your peace by what we look at, listen to, and over-indulge. Today, tomorrow, and forever—Jesus, bring us back this glorious state of heart: “Whom or what do I have in heaven but you, Jesus? You make heaven ‘heavenly.’ And being with you, there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you” (pp of Ps.73:25). Expel our fears, mute the devil’s lies, and supersize our love for you, Jesus. So Very Amen.
