Inextinguishable Peace - Your Nightly Prayer

Your Nightly Prayer

Inextinguishable Peace
Your Nightly Prayer for Feb. 13, 2025
By Sophia Bricker

TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." - John 14:27

SOMETHING TO PONDER

During the dark nights of winter, I enjoy seeing the Christmas decorations that light up homes. Everything from candles to twinkling lights illuminates the cold and bleak month of December. However, January eventually arrives, and people take down their decorations. Instead of starry bulbs and shining trees, the streets are bare and lonely. No more is there a warm glow to brighten the darkness.

Such an image encapsulates the new year in many ways. The month starts off with an explosion of fireworks and festive celebrations but ends with the daily trudge of schedules and routines. The joy and peace we had longed for can seem like those decorations – they are tucked away for next year. Lights are extinguished.

The peace of the world is here today but gone tomorrow. It is based on whether life is going well and whether loved ones are healthy. But the peace that Christ gives us is not like what the world offers. His peace is enduring and unshakable, like a light that cannot be turned off. We can access this gift by trusting in the Lord and turning to Him in prayer. As Philippians 4:7 says, “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (NLT). Regardless of our circumstances or the trajectory of our year, His peace will be there to safeguard our feelings and thoughts.

So, let us direct our thoughts to the Lord and trust Him. Doing so does not make us immune to stress and challenges. However, Scripture promises that He will keep us in His perfect peace when we trust Him (Isaiah 26:3). For surely, the years will change, and the decorations will come down, but Jesus, the inextinguishable Light of the World, will continue to brighten our lives with His peaceful presence. Because of Him, our anxious hearts can find rest.

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Prince of Peace, calm this anxious and restless heart of mine. I often feel tossed around by circumstances, and any sense of peace eludes me. But You give real rest, and so I am entrusting my worries, fears, and expectations to You in this moment. May I experience the peace You promised, which surpasses all understanding and is not based on the whims of the world. Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. The calmest person or place you know. What qualities stand out to you, and how can you incorporate them into your life?

2. A time when you felt Jesus’ peace in your life. In what way did prayer and time spent with Him influence your sense of tranquility?

3. Light sources that have brought you comfort, such as a nightlight you had as a child, holiday lights that you enjoy, or candles that imbue calmness. How might the image of an inextinguishable version of this light – symbolizing Jesus – encourage you when you feel anxious or discouraged in the coming days and weeks?

Sophia Bricker Sophia Bricker is a writer. Her mission is to help others grow in their relationship with Jesus through thoughtful articles, devotionals, and stories. She completed a BA and MA in Christian ministry, which included extensive study of the Bible and theology, and an MFA in creative writing. You can follow her blog about her story, faith, and creativity at The Cross, a Pen, and a Page.