Don't Surrender Your Peace

This morning as I went to the Lord in prayer, He gently reminded me: "Don’t surrender your peace."
Lately, I’ve found myself doing just that—laying down peace in exchange for worry. I’ve been carrying the weight of upcoming bills and our house payment, wondering how it’s all going to work out. But the Lord reminded me to remember who I am, and the lessons He has already taught me. Peace is not something I can afford to hand over to the enemy.

I reached for a prayer journal—one I hadn’t touched in a long time. I was surprised to see it was gifted to me nearly two years ago, around the time the ministry I was working for began to unravel. People started working against each other. Spiritual gifts, which are meant to build up the Body, were being used in harmful and self-serving ways. At least, that’s how it appeared to me. And it hurt. Deeply.

I had written just a few words in that journal:
“You are above that.”
Underneath, I had scribbled, “Pray for:” —but the rest was blank.

That blank page spoke volumes. God began to show me that I had pulled away from using the spiritual gift of prophecy. When things fell apart in the church, I went into self-protection mode. I didn’t want to speak what God was saying, because I had watched others misuse their gifts—and I was afraid I’d do the same, or be hurt again.

But that fear was keeping me from walking fully in what He called me to.

Many of the people I had once looked up to—those who had spoken life over me, who helped me out of darkness and into light—were now hurting each other. That shook something in me. It made me question everything. But even as the enemy tried to tear me down, God never left. I knew I could never go back to life without Jesus.

So this morning, I prayed:
That God would heal every part of me I had shut down out of fear.
That He would restore my desire to prophesy when He speaks.
That I would pray for healing again—even if the outcome is unknown.
That I would walk in faith, not fear.

I was reminded: it’s not my works that make miracles happen. It’s my faith and trust in Him.

I went back to that blank “Pray For:” section and I filled it in—for me.

Then, God led me to His Word:
Proverbs 31:27–31

She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
‘Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.’
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Today, I’m choosing to stand in the truth of who God says I am.
I won’t surrender my peace. I won’t silence my gift.
I trust Him to restore what fear tried to steal.

Prayer for the Weary and Wounded

Father God,
I come before You today holding pieces of myself that I’ve hidden out of fear. I confess that I’ve let worry steal my peace, and I’ve allowed past hurts to silence the gifts You placed inside of me. Forgive me, Lord, for retreating in self-protection instead of resting in Your protection.

I ask that You would heal the places in me that were wounded by others, especially those within the Church. Restore my heart, renew my desire to pray boldly, to speak when You speak, and to move in faith even when the outcome is uncertain.

Help me remember who I am in You. Remind me that it’s not by my strength but by Your Spirit that miracles happen and lives are changed. Give me courage to pick up the gifts You’ve given me, and to walk in them without fear.

Today, I surrender fear and take back my peace. I choose to trust You, again.
In Jesus’ name, amen.

Reflection Questions

Take a few quiet moments to sit with the Lord and ask:

1. Have I surrendered my peace to fear, worry, or past wounds?
   If so, what would it look like to take it back today?

2. Are there spiritual gifts I’ve pulled away from using because of fear, hurt, or disappointment?
   What might God be inviting me to pick up again?

3. What has fear stopped me from praying or believing for?
   Is there something God wants me to ask Him for again?

4. What truth do I need to speak over myself today to remember who I am in Christ?
   (Tip: Write it down and post it where you’ll see it.)

5. Who can I pray for today who may also be struggling to find their voice, peace, or purpose?