I wish I could confidently say that I always know how to face a situation head-on, that I never struggle to find the right words to speak into the heart of a fellow sojourner. I wish I knew how to pray effectively. Without pause, without questioning what should be, could be, might be the will of God for each person in every circumstance.
The truth is, more often than not, my prayers are tongue-tied. Awkward. Raw. Filled with real frustrations, confusion, and sometimes sadness.
But there is always one thing I find to be a constant when I struggle to fill the silence with words.
When I don’t know what to pray, I pray for His presence.
I speak the name of Jesus. And pray for the spirit of Shalom to come alongside and flow into the depths of souls.
I ask for a peace that never falters in the face of flagging faith to make its entrance and stay for the duration.
When our world is shaking, it is His presence that holds firm.
It is the power of Jesus that swoops down, spreading an expanse of compassion wide enough to encompass every tired saint. Strengthening and changing us. Even if our circumstances remain the same.
No longer do I ask merely for relief from the existing troubles nor for the absence of strife. Instead, I pray for Jesus to come and overshadow Satan’s worst with the light of God’s best. For mercy to show up and shatter the darkest of hours with the brilliance of love, unconditional and limitless.
As His presence descends, it ushers in the sweet melody of peace, gentle yet firm in its determination to rise above the enemy’s shrieking fortes.
This gift of promised Shalom comes with power.
Reaching past the furthest bounds of all human understanding.
Soothing the weary soul.
Bringing its companion of Hope to nestle deep into the broken.
Spilling its healing contents into hurting hearts.
Shalom — completeness, soundness, welfare, peace.
This is the gift I pray for you.
A real, felt peace that burrows through bitterness.
Chips away resentment.
Stirs a love that knows no limits.
Brings wholeness to the fragmented.
Bestows favor upon the floundering.
Banishes fear.
Revives the dimly burning ray of faith.
Reminds once more of Father’s keeping power.
I ask for His presence because we were made for it.
It’s where we belong in the best and worst of times.
It is where we find rest even when our circumstances remain exhausting. It’s where we encounter Shalom, not as the world gives but as He gives to His own.
This place where Holy Spirit collides with humanity transforms a soul in the making.
Surrendered to our chrysalis, we cling to His presence like a butterfly hidden and morphing.
Trusting in the silence.
Holding fast to hope through the darkness.
Looking for a future kept safely in Father’s care without fully knowing what it will be like to live it.
We cling in trust even before wings and flight and the freedom to soar are fully realized.
Today, I speak the name of Jesus over you and pray for His presence to come and meet you right where you are.
And I ask for hearts to be open.
Yours and mine.
May we yield to the turning of Shalom’s hand. Stepping forward into faith, knowing Father will not fail, even if all others abandon.
Trusting His presence will breathe and set to flight the most fragile wings, making possible what once was deemed to never be.
Believing our Savior is here and will remain.
And that in His presence, we will soar.
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I encourage you to take a few minutes to listen to this powerful song. May worship rise in your heart as you ask Jesus to breathe peace and healing into your life today.
May Shalom be yours, my friend. In Jesus’ name.