A beautiful prayer in 2 Thessalonians 3:16 reminds us that true peace comes from God, the Lord of Peace. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed and lost in a world filled with chaos, anxiety, and turmoil. But by turning to God, we can find the peace that surpasses all understanding. Learn more about how to find peace and cultivate it today.

2 Thessalonians 3:16

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”

The book of 2 Thessalonians is a letter written by the apostle Paul to the church in Thessalonica, a city in ancient Greece. In the third chapter of this letter, Paul ends his message with a beautiful prayer, which is found in verse 16: “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”

This prayer is significant because it reminds us that true peace comes from God, the Lord of Peace. It is easy to become overwhelmed and anxious in a chaotic, confusing, and turmoil-filled world. However, when we pray to God, we can experience a peace that surpasses all understanding, as promised in Philippians 4:7.

It is also important to note that this prayer is not just for peace in certain situations or circumstances but rather for peace “at all times and in every way.” This means that we can experience peace even in the midst of trials and difficulties. When we trust in God’s love and sovereignty, we can rest in the assurance that He is in control, and that everything will work together for our good. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that to them that love God ^[a]all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.”

As we meditate on this prayer, we can take comfort in the fact that God is always with us, and that He desires to give us peace. We can also remember that peace is not something that we can manufacture on our own, but rather a gift that comes from God. As we seek Him and abide in Him, we can experience His peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).

2 Thessalonians 3:16 is a powerful reminder of the peace that God offers us through His Son, Jesus Christ. “Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all” (NAS).

It is a prayer that we can pray for ourselves and for others as we seek to trust in God’s love and sovereignty and experience His peace in every aspect of our lives.

Here are 10 practical ways we can seek peace:

Spend time in prayer: Just like the prayer in 2 Thessalonians 3:16, we can pray to God and ask Him to give us peace. We can also pray for others who may be in need of peace.

Read the Bible: The Bible is full of verses that talk about peace. Reading these verses can help us focus on God’s promises of peace and give us hope.

Listen to peaceful music: Music can powerfully affect our mood and emotions. Listening to peaceful music can help calm our minds and bring us peace.

Spend time in nature: Being in nature can be a great way to find peace. Whether it’s going for a walk in the woods or sitting by the beach, being surrounded by God’s creation can remind us of His peace.

Practice deep breathing: Deep breathing exercises can help us relax and calm our minds. Take a few deep breaths and focus on breathing in peace and breathing out stress.

Practice gratitude: Focusing on what we are thankful for can help us find peace in the present moment. Take some time to write down what you are grateful for each day.

Connect with others: Talking to and sharing our struggles can help us feel less alone and find peace in the community. Reach out to a friend or family member and share what’s on your heart.

Take a break from technology: The constant stream of information and notifications can be overwhelming. Taking a break from technology can help us unplug and find peace in the present moment.

Practice forgiveness: Holding onto anger and bitterness can rob us of our peace. Practice forgiveness and let go of grudges and resentments.

Serve others: Serving others can help us find peace by focusing on the needs of others. Volunteer at a local organization or help a friend in need.

As we seek God’s presence and abide in Him, we can experience His peace that surpasses all understanding. Whether we find peace through prayer, reading the Bible, spending time in nature, or practicing gratitude and forgiveness, we can rest assured that God’s peace is available to us at all times and in every way. May we continue to seek God’s peace in our lives and share it with those around us.

Takeaways:

• Peace is not just a feeling, it’s a choice we make every day.
• Finding peace starts with a quiet mind and a prayerful heart.
• The Bible is a treasure trove of wisdom and promises of peace.
• Nature has a way of bringing us back to a peaceful state of mind.
• Breathing in peace and exhaling stress can transform our mindset.
• Gratitude unlocks the door to a peaceful heart.
• Connection with others can be a powerful source of peace.
• Unplugging technology can help us reconnect with ourselves and find peace.
• Forgiveness is a path to peace and freedom.
• Serving others is not only a way to find peace, but it also spreads peace to those around us.”

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,
I thank you that you’re the Lord of peace. When I turn to you, it doesn’t mean all my problems will be solved immediately. When I turn to you, it does not mean I’ll have all the answers to my questions or that my worries will vanish like the morning dew under the sun’s rays. Instead, peace comes from within me as I remember that you love me completely, and that you are in control. When you come in my needy moments, you give peace at all times and in every way.

Jesus, I declare you as my Lord, and with you I find calm and peace. Today—this moment—I choose to look to you, instead of focusing on the people and problems that hound me. Even during times when you take me beyond my comfort zone and peace is hard to find, I know that you are with me still. I also know that when I choose to rejoice in all circumstances, I’m actively choosing to focus on you. I know, Lord, that it’s through the praise from my parched lips that you draw me to you, bringing your peace again, and again, and again.