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Learning to Pray with Peace
I am so excited to walk with you through these Scriptures. If you consistently struggle with worry and anxiety, I want to pray for you:
Precious Lord, I pray for my friend as she reads this book and walks in faith. Father, anoint her right now with peace. In the name of Jesus, we take authority over every demonic stronghold that has distracted, discouraged, and depressed. I pray for an electric bolt of hope to energize her mind and heart as she reads these Scriptures and answers these questions. Let this be a time of real breakthrough in her prayer life. Holy Spirit, help this lesson to be a springboard of greater revelation led and guided by you. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
1. Read Isaiah 26:3. What is the key to being kept in perfect peace according to this Scripture?
2. Read Isaiah 26:4. What do you learn about God’s character in this verse?
3. Read Psalm 37. Mark the words that repeat in this chapter. What do these words tell you about the focus of the psalm?
4. Psalm 37 is written by David as an acrostic with each segment beginning with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This method was likely used as a tool of memorization, communicating the need to remember the words of Psalm 37 and apply them to your daily life. In your own words, what do you think is important to apply to your life in these verses?
5. Go back and read more slowly Psalm 37:1–2. According to this passage, why are we tempted to fret? What happens to those who do evil?
6. Read Psalm 37:3–4. The word for heart in Hebrew is leb, which means “heart, intellect, awareness, mind, inner person, inner feelings, deepest thoughts, inner self.”4 As you reflect deeply on verses 3 and 4, what is God calling you to do? What are you promised?
7. Read Psalm 37:5. Notice the word that is often translated commit. In the Hebrew this word is galal, which means to “roll away” or “remove.” “The picture is of a camel, burdened with a heavy load; when the load is to be removed, the camel kneels down, tilts far to one side, and the load rolls off.”5 With this understanding, read Psalm 37:5 again. How does this apply to your prayer life?
8. When we are not able to control a situation, we can become anxious. Read Psalm 37:6. What does this Scripture promise you?
9. Read Psalm 37:7. How does God call you to pray when life is not fair?
10. Read Psalm 37:8. Now, look back: How many times has this chapter instructed you to not fret or worry? To fret in the Hebrew is charah and means “to heat” or “inflame oneself.” The word charah is often applied to worry and frustration that leads to anger.6 In addition to not worrying, what does Psalm 37:8 call you to do?
11. Read Psalm 37:9. What will happen to those who are evil? What promise do you have if you hope in the Lord?
12. Read Psalm 37:10–11. What promises are repeated in these verses? (Both a positive and a negative promise.)
13. Read Psalm 37:12–13. How do these verses bring perspective to your issues?
14. Read Psalm 37:14–15. How will God protect you?
15. Read Psalm 37:16–17. Have you worried about not having enough? What are you promised?
16. Read Psalm 37:18–22. How do these verses underscore and repeat what has already been promised?
17. Read Psalm 37:23–26. What does God promise about legacy?
18. Read Psalm 37:27–33. What new insights do you gain as His promises are repeated?
19. Read Psalm 37:34–40. What fresh revelation do you have in these verses?
20. Now go back and make a list of the negative promises for the wicked and the positive promises for those who hope in God. Make a list of the actions that you are supposed to take to walk in hope.
Gaining God’s Perspective
I hope this exercise of looking at Psalm 37 has enlightened your heart with revelation and perspective. You are not alone. God is going to bring vindication and justice in your life. You don’t have to strive or fight for yourself. He is going to fight for you. If you consistently delight in God and find your refuge in Him, you will prosper and the evil will be judged.
21. Read Philippians 4:6. The Greek word for worry is merimao and means “‘to divide into parts.’ The words suggest a distraction, a preoccupation with things causing anxiety, stress, and pressure. Jesus speaks against worry and anxiety because of the watchful care of a heavenly father who is ever mindful of our daily needs.”7 With this in mind, what are you instructed to do in verse 6? If the Scripture tells you to do something, is God’s grace there to help you do it?
22. Read Philippians 4:7. What is God’s promise to you?
Putting God’s Word into Action
I first memorized Philippians 4:6–7 when I was a junior in high school. I was first string on the varsity volleyball team. My starting position was middle back, which meant that I would likely receive the first serve of the game. I would move my feet and get in ready position to receive the ball and remember these verses. I needed God’s peace to guard my mind. These words became living and active for me. I will never forget the power of renewing my mind as I meditated on and memorized God’s Word.
23. Think about the most difficult situation you are facing right now. It could be a strained relationship, financial stress, or job-related anxiety. It’s the type of thing that keeps you up at night being tempted to think negative thoughts. After you have the situation in mind, read Philippians 4:8 out loud. How do these words impact how you process the difficulty you are facing?
24. Read Philippians 4:9. Is there a role model in your life who walks in peace? How would he or she handle the situation you are facing? What does God promise you in Philippians 4:9?
Praying with Confidence, Boldness, and Grace
God has your back. He wouldn’t promise His peace to guard your heart and mind if it wasn’t possible. His peace truly transcends your understanding. However, His peace is not always your first experience. You may first feel the torment that the Enemy sends your way as you think about the bad things that could happen. If you meditate on what the Enemy is feeding your mind, his lies will steal your peace.
If you are like me, you may also struggle with the temptation to try to escape the pressure and the stress by turning to things that comfort you, like activity, movies, books, and food. Or you may have harmful temptations or addictions like masturbation, pornography, drinking, or drugs. It may be the type of thing that you did for enjoyment before you were saved. When life gets tough, you find yourself going back to those momentary pleasures.
25. What do you turn to for comfort rather than God? Does it work?
26. If you find yourself addicted to something, what is it?
27. Ask the Holy Spirit for a strategy to deal with stress rather than turning to your counterfeit comfort. Write down the strategy as the Holy Spirit reveals it.
Getting free is a process. Staying free is a lifelong journey. Prayer is the fuel that fires the passion to stay close to God when you and I get anxious. Recently, when I was in the middle of a stress-filled situation, I heard the Holy Spirit encourage me through this quote: “Cows run away from the storm while the buffalo charges toward it—and gets through it quicker. Whenever I’m confronted with a tough challenge, I do not prolong the torment, I become the buffalo.”8 The Holy Spirit’s direction and guidance can show us how to be like the buffalo and turn into the storm.
God’s peace is like being in the eye of the storm. In His presence there is fullness of joy. The more responsibility you carry, the more you need to stay close to the presence of God to help you face the storm.
Worry frustrates and steals your peace.
Fretting inflames a situation with anger.
Anxiety and stress lead to all types of illness.
The temptation to turn to addictions increases in times of stress.
Peace leads to joy and productivity in your life.
Being still in God’s presence and trusting Him transforms your perspective.
Those who make God their refuge will walk in peace.
Extending God’s Grace
Do you have a prayer partner? Ask God to send you someone with whom you can link arms and pray daily.
Bonus Video: The day I stopped being a cow and transformed into a buffalo. Watch this chapter’s bonus video at www.SueDetweiler.com.
28. Describe an area of worry you are presently facing in your life. Are you in the middle of the anxious torment, or have you discovered God’s peace? Are there addictive types of temptations creating a counterfeit comfort in your life? Do you tend to be more like a cow or a buffalo in a storm? In what ways can we pray for you right now?