In the Bible it says to pray without ceasing and the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6)

The first time I received peace through prayer  was several years ago.

I had become concerned about a patient’s leg. She had diabetes and had gone through several surgeries to repair circulation to her foot. She had a wound on her foot that wouldn’t heal.

This patient was more than just a patient to me. She had become a dear friend. She was very intelligent and exposed me to different philosophies and the value of art. 

I used to feel like a little kid on Christmas morning when I went to visit her as a home health nurse.

I more than cared for her, I loved her. 

So when her foot wound wouldn’t heal,  I was scared the doctor would have to amputate her leg. I prayed and I prayed and I prayed.

Then one day I couldn’t pray anymore. I felt peace in my heart and there was no reason to pray anymore. In fact, at that point if I mentioned one more thing to God about this woman I felt it would be a grave sin. I had gotten through and He had this under control.

She healed without difficulty from that point on.

Then another interesting experience happened. A friend of mine called me and told me that a mutual friend of ours had a son who had gotten hit by a car. She asked me to pray for this boy. I couldn’t. God had His hand on that boy and i knew without a doubt he was going to be fine. He did not have any lasting difficulty from the accident.

The same thing happened when my brother had his accident with his four-wheeler. My mother called me and told me the tragic news. At first I was horrified, then I realized that I already had peace about this. There was no need to pray. God had protected him from death and paralysis during the accident, He was already involved.

My mother has repeatedly worried and pleaded for prayer for my brother. I refuse to test God in this arena. I have faith that the prayers are already answered.

While she hinders her prayers with doubt and worry. I give my prayer wings of faith and gratitude. 

It is important to pray until the peace is received. It is also just as important to pray with faith and not test God with doubt or worry. Once you have peace I believe the only prayer necessary is one of gratitude.