I love all the rich spiritual truth found in Christian hymns. One of my favorites is “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” I’m sure you’ve heard it. “O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” Are you anxious? Going through a difficult time? You know, I believe it’s true that we actually choose to forfeit peace when we do not spend time in prayer. When we do not pray about everything.

I’m praying right now for one of the major cities in the world.  We’re preparing for a great festival, where we will proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ to literally millions of people, if we do it well.  And I get anxious at times.  But every time it happens, I turn it inward to the Lord who lives within me, and I talk to the heavenly Father in His name, and peace comes back.

St. Paul writes in Philippians, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” What a promise that is!

Isn’t it amazing that God not only listens to our prayers, but gives us peace beyond understanding? Share this truth with a hurting friend today, and you will be blessed and they will too.

This is Luis Palau