I remember when I use to pray for strength almost daily. I would always say, “Lord give me the strength to do XYZ.”
Then one day, I met someone who told me to stop that. Who? I honestly don’t remember. I do remember it being at the hair salon though. The woman shared with me how prayer works. Even though I had been praying for myself for over 20 years, until then, I had never considered how it worked besides me telling God what I needed/wanted.
She asked me why I was praying for strength. I told her. She then told me to stop praying for strength and that I was strong. She explained that prayers for strength require weights and lifting weights can grow tiresome and can be difficult.
Just like that, a light when off in my head and a bell rang *ding, ding, ding*
I knew what she was saying was true.
The more I would pray for strength the more I endured. Sure I overcame my situations, but I also attracted them to myself.
It’s like God kept sending me “strength training” exercises and instead of being like, “thanks God, I’m strong now”, I just kept chasing him down with prayers for more strength.
I think God put me in the salon that day with that lady as a way for me to hear from him. He used her to tell me I was strong enough. I needed her to tell me that so I would stop bulking up on strength and to prevent me from being so “strong” in myself that I forgot from whence cometh my strength.
I began praying prayers of Peace shortly thereafter. That was about 7 years ago. I still pray for peace today.
Often when people tell me they are praying for strength I tell them to consider praying for Peace instead.
Think about this… Goliath was a giant filled with strength and might. But all it took was a rock to take him down.
I’m not saying don’t be strong. I’m saying be strong and smart enough to seek peace and to properly utilize your strength.
You can be strong as an ox, handling all kinds of complicated and stressful situations and battles, but the smallest thing can cause you to lose it… But you’re strong though! Don’t lose it over something small.
A friend of mine use to always say “Ju I’m praying for the patience of Job.”
JOB… Why on earth would you pray for the patience of Job? I think she heard that somewhere and ran with it. That’s gotta be it!
To understand and know Job’s story, there’s no way you would pray for or say you have the patience of Job. And why would you, unless you really didn’t know his story.
Wheeeeeeew…
But Peace… Peace is the prayer I’ve grown to seek. Peace alleviates pain, provides purpose and removes the negative situations you don’t even know are brewing in your midst.
I encourage my friends, mentee’s, colleagues, social media pals and even strangers to seek Peace; pray for peace; speak peace and share it.
Yesterday, when my Pastor (and I say that LOL since I haven’t formally joined) preached about peace I was so happy. Philippians 4:6-9 was his text.
Peace is what I have learned to seek and to embrace. It keeps me out of trouble and it feels good.
Peace requires you to release unforgiveness. The two can’t coexist.
Besides if the Prince of Peace died by crucifixion for our sins and forgave us how and why would we hold on to unforgiveness? I’m strong enough to forgive and blessed enough to chose it!
Walk in peace my friends.
