Prayer is one of our most powerful actions as Christians. It draws us closer to the heart of God. 

Naturally, praying for peace allows us to:

• Ask God for miracles in times of need
• Bring divided communities together
• Provide support to those who need it (as the act of praying together provides healing)
• Draw strength to face challenges 
  

But peace isn't just something that comes from God. As we see in Matthew 5:9, we are all called to be peacemakers here on earth, as it says: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." 

Sometimes being a peacemaker means working with others to provide crisis support, donations, and emergency help. Other times, it means finding peace within ourselves. 

For example, in the "Comforted by Faith" episode of our Life Podcast, Roma Downey recalled losing her mother very suddenly as a child. Soon after her mother passed, she visited her mother's grave with her father. When Roma observed a butterfly nearby, her father remarked that the butterfly could be her mother's spirit at rest. Now, the sight of a butterfly brings Roma strength and comfort as it reminds her of her mother's love. 

Like Roma, most of us draw comfort and strength from the sight of something familiar. And for many of us, that's the Bible.

Peace is the subject of many Bible verses, making it a great place to turn to as a reminder of God's plan for Biblical peace. 

Biblical peace is a special type of peace that transcends our modern understanding of "peace." It isn't just the absence of violence or war. Instead, Biblical peace refers to a state of "calmness" and "completeness" that comes when someone accepts Jesus as their savior. We can see this from the Hebrew word for peace, "šālôm," which refers to totality, completeness, fulfillment, harmony, security, and wholeness. 

God's design for peace is visible throughout the Bible, including in:

• John 16:33: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." 
• Isaiah 26:3: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." 
• Colossians 3:15: "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful." 
  

It's also visible in many Bible stories like the one recounted in our podcast episode 'Jesus Calms the Storm.' 

In this story, Jesus meets a man possessed by demons. As the son of God and the prince of peace, Jesus commands the spirits to leave the man. This merciful act restores the man's inner peace and strengthens his love for the Lord. 

When you are facing hardship and need peace, you can turn to God through the power of prayer. So to help you do just that, we'd like to share seven prayers with you in this section.

Short prayer for inner peace

"Dear God, grant me inner peace again. Today, I have struggled to see your love in the world, and I have succumbed to despair. Let you remind me of your great plan for your children and this earth. Please, my loving God of hope, I ask for your guidance. Amen." 

Prayer for peace of mind 

"Lord. My mind is weary. 

Where I should hold love, I hold resentment. 

Where I should feel peace, I feel anxiety. 

Where I should grant forgiveness, I hold onto anger. 

O, divine Lord. Pardon me for my unruly mind and anxious thoughts. 

Grant me the strength to swap my doubt for faith. 

Inspire me with the strength to take charge of my feelings in hard times. 

Let me forgive and love wholly and completely — just as you love me. 

In the name of Jesus, Amen." 

Prayer for peace in the family 

"O God, help us find faith in our fear. 

Today, our family is weary and burdened with agitation. We're divided and uneasy and aren't drawing together as a family should. As we are told in Proverbs 17:17, families are born for times of trouble.

Please, Holy Spirit, you hold more power and love than we can ever comprehend. Grant us faith in each other and ourselves, so we may have the energy to come together and unite. Lord, grant us peace.

In Jesus' name, Amen."

Prayer for peace and healing

"Dear Lord. 

I know that you are the divine healer of our world. You love me every day. You forgive me when I sin. You guide me through trials and deliver me from evil. 

I have faith in you, almighty God. 

My Lord, I ask for peace and healing in my time of need. Please relieve my aches and pains, and renew my spirit. Give me the strength to find peace and quietness in these turbulent times. 

Your love is victorious, and I know it can heal my troubled heart. 

Amen." 

Prayer for peace and comfort

"Lord, I thank you for the world you created. 

I see the trees you cultivated. 

I hear the animals you created. 

I smell the life of the plants you planted. 

And, finally, I feel the love you surround us with. 

These blessings bring me comfort and peace in my times of need, and I thank you for them. 

In Lord Jesus Christ's name, Amen." 

Prayer for calm

"I recall, O Lord, the story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4:35-41. Specifically, I recall how he commanded the waves back with the words "Quiet! Be Still!" Now, I need to hear those words myself. 

I know you command me to trust in your plan for my life, but I've struggled to quieten my mind lately. Please, help me shake my fear and find faith. 

I trust in you, my Lord. Please help me trust in myself. 

Amen." 

Short prayer for joy in a difficult time 

"Lord, please grant me joy in this trying time. Help me find hope, light, and love. Make me an instrument of your peace. Amen." 

When we face fear and despair, we can find peace in our heavenly Father. As we see in 2 Thessalonians 3:16, God will never turn His back on us: "Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." 

And to receive this peace, we need only pray and look to God's word. 

If you'd like to learn more about God's design for a peaceful world, download the Pray.com app from the iOS app store or Google Play store.