A Prayer for Peace that Overflows
Prince of Peace,
Overflow my heart
with your perfect peace
that I may share it
in all my surroundings
Tag: serving others
Recently my treadmill broke, so I have been exercising outside in the glorious autumn weather. Years ago, my husband and I purchased acreage from a small country church, and now a county road runs between our properties. I had never considered the church cemetery’s gravel pathway to be a walking track until my treadmill broke. I began walking laps around the cemetery, enjoying the peaceful country setting.
Soon I became curious about the names on the headstones, and I took a break from walking for closer inspection. On a fresh grave marked with a hanging flower basket, I bent over to read the small nameplate. Tears filled my eyes as I recognized the name of a dear lady. She was the mother of a friend I’ve known since kindergarten.
This godly woman, full of a zest for life, died from a long battle with cancer earlier this year. I remembered joyful sleepovers at her house, and I recalled her quirky stories when she subbed for our elementary school teachers. She was the “fun mom” in our class—always laughing and telling jokes, keeping our spirits high. I have kept in touch with my friend in recent years, and I know how devastating this loss has been to her close-knit family.
I realized that by passing this gravesite on my walks, I have a visual prompt to pray for my friend and her family as they continue to grieve. Like so many Christians, I start with good intentions to pray regularly for people in need, and then I easily forget to keep praying. God’s plan is for me to pray over and over for this family during my walks. If my treadmill had not broken, if I had walked the county road instead of the cemetery path, and if I had not stopped to inspect the new grave, I likely would have forgotten to keep praying for my friend. I am thankful God strings those small, seemingly insignificant details together to direct me into service for His kingdom.
When I pay attention to the details right where I am, God often surprises me with new ways I can serve others. What detail is God calling you to notice in your daily life, so you can join Jesus in serving others?
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Recently I entered my third year as a secretary at a Christian high school. I have learned much about teenagers in my time there—mainly that I cannot communicate in the same way with them as I do with my own younger children. What I’ve learned about teens also helps me in my interactions with the unchurched or unbelieving. Here are four of my takeaways.
- Begin with prayer.
On the drive to school in the morning, I pray that God will open my eyes to the needs of the students. I pray the Holy Spirit will give me his words, not my own, when I have the privilege of meeting those student needs. Praying beforehand prepares me for opportunities throughout the day; I am not as tongue-tied or apprehensive when I pray in advance. I pray in the same way before attending a gathering where unbelieving or unchurched people will be present.
- Look for in-roads.
Teenagers are typically guarded in their initial responses. They are easily embarrassed and go to great lengths not to look foolish. They can be difficult to get to know, unless you look for an in-road. I look for a common interest as a talking point, whether it’s the St. Louis Cardinals or Vera Bradley purses. Genuine compliments are always appreciated, even if they momentarily embarrass a teen. Compliments and common interests are ways I open conversations with people who may feel threatened by my faith, and this approach is often well-received.
- Care enough to develop relationship.
Like people of all ages, teens love to talk about themselves. When I listen well, I pick up on the feelings behind the words, and I hear what’s important to them. Listening is one of the best ways to earn trust, because people feel your care for them when you listen. It also gives me opportunities to keep the conversation going in days ahead because I can ask follow-up questions. Once I’ve taken the time to develop relationship, I earn the credentials to speak into a person’s life if God calls me to it.
- Be authentic.
In the fall of 2014, I presented my testimony in a chapel at Saxony. Even in a crowd of 220 students and staff, you could have heard a pin drop as I spoke about the struggles of my teen years. I believe God used my story that day because I was willing to be vulnerable with some of my deepest hurts. Teens respect authenticity. The whole world desperately craves stories from Christians who are willing to be vulnerable. The world doesn’t want or need any more saccharin versions of what faith “should” look like. Pastor Mark says, “Tell your own story—no one can argue with it.” I practice that as often as I am able, especially in a non-Christian setting.
What ways will you use to reach the unchurched or unbelieving in your everyday life?
My weekly newsletter Tea on Tuesdays is delivered at 3:00 p.m. Central time every Tuesday. I write an exclusive devotion for you each week that is shared nowhere else.
To receive the newsletter, please subscribe below. I can’t wait to share personally with you each week!
Want to know more about me before you sign up? You can read my story here and learn more about my books here. By signing up, you are agreeing to the terms of my privacy policy.
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