40 Days of Prayer – Day 19

SCS StudentDevotional Blog

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”  John 14:27

Each day we face trials, big and small. Whether these trials are a test at school, a period of isolated quarantine, financial instability, illness, relational conflicts, or a period of mourning, we always need courage to face them. 

Our theme verse for this year speaks about God commanding Joshua, the newly appointed leader of the Israelites, to be strong and courageous. Joshua has just led the small Israelite army through the Jordan river, and he is now to bring them into the promised land, fighting the far greater and stronger Canaanite armies and continuing to obey the law. Though, unlike Joshua, we are not leading an army into war, we too need this same courage as we face day-to-day challenges. But, where does this courage come from?

In the last supper, Jesus explains to his disciples that he will soon die on the cross, and although he will depart from them, they will soon be given the Holy Spirit. He expresses that this Spirit will provide us with a peace unrivaled by that of the world or our own efforts. This peace of the Spirit has the power to still our anxious hearts, overcome our fears, and provide courage in the midst of trials.

As Christians, this is a part of our faith that is easy to understand but hard to apply. How often do we question God’s sovereignty in the midst of our daily trials? How often do we try to rely on our own peace and strength? We must constantly ask God for this peace and courage in the midst of challenges, relying on his strength to carry us through the battle, rather than our own.

Junior Grace Anderson

Prayer Focus:

  • SCS Spiritual Life, Chapel, and House Programs
  • Draw near to God who knows the depths of your heart and sees all the secret places there.
  • John 15:1-4:  I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.