Encouraging Prayers For Peace Based On Scripture

Just this week, I was praying and asking God to show me what I was supposed to do with the pain and emotions I felt at that moment. It felt like no one around me could possibly understand what I was going through. They could not support me emotionally.

But I knew that if I was to find peace in my life, I needed to put these feelings to rest. But how? I did not want to pretend they didn’t exist and dismiss my feelings.

Whether my thoughts and feelings were true, I needed to find a way to deal with them head-on. I understood it would be too much for others to carry, and they certainly could not carry my emotions. That is when I turned to God’s Word and found prayer for peace scripture and started implementing these scriptures into my prayers. 

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​But First, I Needed To Remember The Way Of Peace

This was not the first time I had to work through the guilt and shame that was preventing peace from reigning in my heart. There were many opportunities in my past where I had to go to God because no one else could take the pain away from me.

So before I began, I needed to remember these three things about how I can get great peace in my life:

1. I had to remember the times I could see God working in my daily life. Those little moments when I knew He was with me, guiding me and giving me the wisdom to get through every day. I had to remember that God directed me when raising my kids while they were little. I remember when God helped me improve my health or pass that college exam. So, my first step towards peace was remembering how God was walking with me every single day and how He had helped me in the past to do the hard things I had to do at the time. 
   
2. I had to remember the gift of peace I received when He forgave all my sins. Since giving my life to Christ, I have remembered many things I did wrong, and by the grace of God, after repenting to Him, I have found peace from all those things. It has not been easy, but the peace I feel from those big, shameful moments proves that God can bring me peace despite my struggles. 
   
3. I had to remember that God wants me to have peace, and I want peace in my life. Sometimes, anxious thoughts make me feel safe. If I am having an anxious thought, I need peace, so I work through external measures to make that happen. But when I rely on God’s peace and unfailing love for me and everyone around me, I can rest in His sovereignty. While resting, I can finally turn to the kind of peace I truly need in this life. 

Through God’s help, we can have peace in every situation. I have complete faith (affiliate link) that this is true. When we seek the God of Love with our whole spirit, we will find the blessing of peace.

Peace Is A Fruit Of The Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

– Galatians 5:22-23 (WEB)

If you have ever wondered if peace was holy and from God, this verse clearly outlines that peace is a godly character and a sign of how the Holy Spirit works in your heart and life.  

In Galatians 5:22-23, the word translated as “peace” comes from the Greek word “eirēnē” (εἰρήνη). 

“Eirēnē” encompasses several aspects of peace:

1. Absence of Conflict: This includes peace between individuals, groups, or nations, where there is harmony and cessation of hostility.

2. Inner Tranquility: Peace within oneself, calmness and contentment.

3. Wholeness and Completeness: A sense of well-being and integrity.

4. Harmony with God: A restored relationship, experiencing His peace.

So, when you have peace as a Fruit of The Spirit, you can have peace with those around you and within yourself. You will live a life of integrity, please God alone, and be connected to the true source of peace, God Himself. 

​But what can prevent peace from entering into your heart and mind?

While peace seems all-encompassing and is available to you despite your circumstances, some emotions and feelings will prevent peace. 

Praying Through The Emotions Preventing Peace In Your Life Using Prayer for Peace Scripture

Too often, when we feel something, we want others to understand what we are feeling. However, most people do not take the time to understand their feelings or have no idea how to feel emotions.

However, it is important to feel the emotions and pray through them. Sharing our feelings and emotions with others might cause heartache unless you know someone who can walk through the trial with you.  

But you can always turn to the Almighty God for comfort, strength, encouragement, and peace when overwhelmed by the feelings that life will inevitably bring into your heart and mind. 

The scriptures below provide guidance and encouragement to overcome these negative emotions, and there are scripture-based prayers to help you find peace through faith and trust in God.:

Anger

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”

– Ephesians 4:31 (NIV)

“In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”

– Ephesians 4:26 (NIV)

• The Issue: Unresolved anger can lead to a lack of peace, creating turmoil and bitterness in one’s heart.
• The Prayer: Father God, help me find a way to share my anger in healthier ways. Holy Spirit reveal to me the root of my anger so I can address that issue in my life and overcome my anger. Please help me to process my anger right now without using it to hurt others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.  

Anxiety

“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.”

– Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

– Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

• The Issue: Excessive worry and anxiety about the future or uncertain situations can rob a person of peace, causing restlessness and fear.
• The Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am feeling incredibly restless right now. I know that you are sovereign over all. Lord, please don’t let me miss out on the steps you need me to take, and Lord, I am asking for your provision and protection over me and my family. I am grateful for your continued presence and supernatural wisdom in my life. Thank you for giving me my daily bread. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Fear

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

– 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

– Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

• The Issue: Fear of the unknown, fear of failure, or fear of harm can disturb a person’s peace of mind and prevent them from feeling secure.
• The Prayer: Lord, you have not given me a spirit of fear, but you have given me power and a sound mind. Heavenly Father, I hand over all my fears to You today, and I am choosing to walk in faith. I ask for Your will to be done in my life. I surrender all to your loving care and your tender mercies. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Guilt

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

– 1 John 1:9 (NIV)

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

– Romans 8:1 (ESV)

• The Issue: Unresolved guilt or feelings of shame can disrupt inner peace, leading to self-condemnation and distress.
• The Prayer: Dear God, I am in need of Your peace over _______ today. My heart is troubled, and I cannot forgive myself for my actions. I desire your peace and am grateful for your gift of eternal salvation through Jesus. Please calm my mind right now, and I ask for your forgiveness over _____ in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Resentment

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

– Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

– Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)

• The Issue: Holding onto resentment or grudges against others can create inner turmoil and hinder reconciliation, which is essential for peace.
• The Prayer: Lord God, it is difficult for me to reconcile with ________ today. Lord, You know what took place and how much it hurt me. You are the God of peace, and I know you are the only One who can heal my heart in this situation and heal this relationship. Please give me the wisdom on how to move forward and how to resolve this conflict with _______ today. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Jealousy

“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”

– James 3:16 (NIV)

“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”

– Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)

• The Issue: Envy and jealousy towards others can lead to dissatisfaction and inner conflict, preventing peace and contentment.
• The Prayer: Lord, I know you want all your children to be fruitful in this life. My heart is not in a good place when it comes to _______. But God, I want to be happy for ______, and I am truly sorry for my jealous (envious) heart towards him/her. I am feeling ________ about the whole situation because I am still waiting for you to move in my __________ life, too. Lord, help me to be happy for all the good fruit in _________’s life and help me to plant the seeds so I can bear good fruit in my life, too. Please help me not to be a stumbling block to _______ as he/she receives the blessings you have for him/her. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sadness

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

– Psalm 147:3 (NIV)

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

– Matthew 5:4 (NIV)

• The Issue: Persistent sadness or grief can make it difficult to find peace, as it weighs heavily on the heart and mind.
• The Prayer: Heavenly Father, only you know the depth of my sadness and how broken my heart is. You know the grief, the loss, and the pain I am going through right now. I do not know who I can turn to for help or what I can do to feel better. Lord, I need your help to get through this sadness. Please heal my broken heart and bind up my wounds. Comfort me in my time of need. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Stress

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

– 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

– Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

• The Issue: Overwhelming stress from various sources, such as work, relationships, or financial problems, can disrupt peace and cause emotional turmoil.
• The Prayer: Lord, I am unable to escape the stress at ________. It overwhelms me, and I have trouble focusing on anything around me. I don’t know how to handle this situation. Please give me guidance and wisdom on how to deal with ________ and give me the peace that passes all understanding. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Unforgiveness

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

– Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

– Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

• The Issue: Refusing to forgive others or oneself can create a barrier to peace, as forgiveness is essential for healing and moving forward.
• The Prayer: Lord, I want to be an instrument of your peace and not an instrument of spiritual warfare. Help me to overcome my hurts and my deep wounds so I can forgive _______ for _________ just like you have forgiven me. Help me take the log out of my eye so I can better see the speck in my brother’s eye. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Pride

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

– Proverbs 11:2 (NIV)

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”

– Philippians 2:3 (NIV)

• The Issue: Excessive pride and arrogance can lead to conflict with others and hinder humility, which is necessary for peace and reconciliation.
• The Prayer: Lord, search my heart and show me where I have been prideful and arrogant in my actions, words, and deeds towards others. Help me to do better and remember your grace over my life. Help me to overcome my pride so I can humble myself and apologize. Do not let me forget my desperate need for you in my life, and thank you for walking with me despite my prideful and arrogant ways. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Addressing these emotions through prayer, self-reflection, forgiveness, and seeking support can help restore peace in your life. This will not be easy. It will require knowing peace Bible verses, relying on the Power of the Holy Spirit, going to the Prince of Peace daily, and having faith in God’s love. But peace is possible.

The Peace Prayer by St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

I think St. Francis of Assisi understood that to have peace, one had to address the emotions and feelings preventing one from experiencing the peace of rest and the fruit of peace in one’s life. 

God Is The Source Of All Hope, Joy, Peace, And Comfort

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 (NIV)

God is the source of hope, joy, peace, and comfort. Through faith in God, we can find hope even in difficult circumstances, and He will provide comfort and strength to those who trust in Him.