And the peace of God, which transcends
all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I recently read a magazine article about a woman whose
teenage daughter was struggling with her personal identity. In the story, the mother spent hours, days
and months praying that her daughter would bend to her will. She, and members of her church, prayed that
the daughter would follow their preferred path. The family sought counseling at church and through a licensed
professional and these approaches increased the arguing among them. In a moment where the stress and the tension
were completely overwhelming, the mother took time to herself and prayed for
God to bring her peace with her daughter's personal identity. In the story, the next morning the mother
awoke and felt the peace of God. In all
the time that she had prayed in despair for God to change the person that she
was praying for she was frustrated but when she asked God to bring her peace
and to help her accept the path her daughter choose, she was able to find
relief.
After reading this story I spent MANY days thinking about
the times that I ask God for what I want. Praying to change a situation, to help something align in a way that
will be easier, less painful, or even to allow me to take a passive role and
let things play themselves out. In the
moments where I have asked God for guidance or to help me to let go of
something troubling I have a much greater sense of relief.
Prayer: Creator
God - in moments when I desire my way or my will, remind me that you can help
bring me peace and acceptance. You have
the power to protect our hearts and our minds, to relieve our concerns and to
help us to recognize our powerlessness.
In a time when it can be hard to control all the moving pieces and parts
in our lives, I can count on you to bring me relief over my concerns and
sorrows.
Christi Moock (reprinted from 2016)
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