A Prayer for Peace Amid a Day of Chaos
By Alicia Searl
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” - Isaiah 26:3
My eyes batted open to see my eight-year-old standing in front of me with a huge grin, holding a bag of hair curlers, and sporting her pink fuzzy bathrobe and brand-new bunny slippers. She eagerly insisted that I get out of bed so that I could put the curlers in her hair. She was holding a long, thick stick that must have been found in the backyard, claiming it would “help her walk,” and spoke in a high-pitched yet raspy voice. Her sweet little face had black lines drawn across her cheeks and forehead, and it eerily resembled the look of a permanent marker. Come to find out, it was a permanent black marker. Ugh! If you haven’t guessed, my daughter was dressed up like a precious 100-year-old lady, all thanks to the 100th day of school.
In all honesty, at that moment, I was feeling just about that age! Rolling out of bed from a restless night, my body ached for more sleep and my stiff neck was making me quite irritable. I knew it was going to be a day, but I tried to put on a brave face. As I began to curl up this “little old lady’s” hair, I mentally went over my checklist for the day. I had so much housework to do which led me to think of the laundry that was piled nearly halfway up the ceiling. That thought spiraled into remembering my oldest needed me to put her softball uniform in the dryer. Her game was at 4 o’clock, but I still had to take the dog to the vet, make a quick stop at the grocery store, turn in a few things at work, and my dad mentioned that he was coming over to get a haircut. Yes, I have become his go-to barber these days.
Unfortunately, my first response was to let out a heavy sigh accompanied by a few low grumbles and groans of complaint. I had no idea how I was going to get everything done. Then gazing upon my little old lady, as cute as she was, I also knew it was going to be quite the chore scrubbing all that permanent marker off her face! The feeling of dread overtook me as this day was already proving to be quite chaotic!
Maybe you are feeling a little overwhelmed with the tasks that lie before you today, too. Maybe it feels impossible. Maybe you have gotten so wrapped up in the craziness of the day that you forgot to seek the One who can grant you peace. If so, will you join me in taking all your cares to God and seeking His peace amid the chaos?
Let’s pray:
Gracious Father, thank you for being the author of our lives and granting us peace when we come to You. What a precious promise You give us in Your Word. We love that You want to have an intimate relationship with us and reach out to us time and time again, extending a helping hand. Yet, we can get so wrapped up in life, that we fail to meet the answer of Your precious calls. O God, please forgive us for not seeking Your first.
We are so grateful that You are patient and know the nature of our hearts, which is why we come today, desperately seeking Your peace. Lord, we are tired, overwhelmed, and stressed. The circumstances in our lives have become barriers that are blocking us from seeing joy. The chaotic schedules and hectic seasons of this life are trying so hard to take us under and give way to complaining. Sadly, we try so hard to battle this life on our own, but God help us remember, that we are nothing apart from You.
So, we surrender our day to You. We give You all the events and activities that fill our day and ask that You provide ways for us to lean into You. Help us manage our time and overcome obstacles, and grant us Your peace, Oh Lord. We ask this in Your Precious name. Amen.
Photo Credit: Image created using AI technology and subsequently edited and reviewed by our editorial team.
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