July 2, 2026
— John Stam · Source: A letter to my mother
Philippians 4:6-7 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.
We often treat prayer as a "first aid kit" in times of crisis, forgetting that it is an everyday activity, as natural as breathing. Stannis and the Apostle Paul maintained great peace amidst storms, their secret not lying in favorable circumstances, but in immersing their lives completely in connection with God in their daily lives. True prayer is not about persuading God to do what is right for me, but about surrendering everything and allowing the Lord to reclaim the sovereignty of my anxiety. When my will willingly melts into His perfect plan, even if the road ahead remains uncertain, a peace and certainty beyond human comprehension will quietly guard my heart.
Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for always coming before You only when I am overwhelmed with worry and at my wit's end. I do not ask for a life without ups and downs, but only for a heart that is always and unceasingly in prayer. Lord, when facing the storms and uncertainties of life or work, take away my ambition to try to control everything, and let my weak will completely submit to Your supreme sovereignty. May the love of Christ constantly inspire me, and may Your unfathomable peace protect my mind and intentions like a shield, so that in every seemingly ordinary or difficult day, I may live with the strength and joy that comes from obedience. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.