The following poem was written by Emily Suchy Miller, the young woman who lived with us for 5 years. She is a haunting poet and writes from the deep experiences of her heart and life.

 

Did you hear the call of peace?

Let me tell you her story. When Emily was two, her parents became some of the first missionaries to go into Mongolia after Communism fell. They located in the most polluted city in the world, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital. Going there they knew the horrible air quality would cause physical problems in them as well as their children. How could they go?

They went because God called them there and because they believe in prayer.

Not only did they raise Emily there, but they had three more children. Emily was there for 17 years before she moved to Oregon to live with us, leaving her family behind her in Mongolia. Pollution was not the only problem. Communism has a way of turning people, especially men, into alcoholics and suppressing a culture until no one is seen as important. I heard Emily’s hacking cough every morning when she woke up, trying to get her lungs cleared out. I’ve heard Emily’s stories, the ones echoed in this poem. Peace? It can only come from Jesus.

And then there are Rick and Dianna, a young couple we met when they were students at the University of Illinois. God called them to Mexico City, but not the beautiful part. They moved to a squatter section built on a former garbage dump, a place of pollution and poverty. Again they knew their choice to follow God would mean physical problems for children, so the choice to have a family came only because of deep prayer. Peace came, and they also have a beautiful family.

There is a saying, “No God, no peace. Know God, know peace.” These families have proved that to be true.

When God offered to give us peace—His peace—He was telling the truth. His word tells us if we ask, we receive. It also tells us if we don’t have, it’s because we didn’t ask. And asking is not a one time and it’s done thing. Matthew 7:7 actually says in the original language: “Keep on asking, and it will be given to you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you.” Jesus goes on to say in verses 8 through 11: “For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. ⁹ Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? ¹¹ If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

One of those good things is peace, and not just ordinary peace. The gift given is the peace that Jesus Himself possess. (John 14:27)

In Philippians 4:6-7 the Apostle Paul describes that peace when he writes: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

There is peace that comes from prayer. It is the very peace of Jesus, a peace that is so deep it cannot be defined, a peace that stands guard over your heart and mind. It is the gift of Jesus Himself.

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YouTube Video

If you missed the teaching video, and before going to the Practical Application Assignments, we ask that you watch “Peace Hope & Prayer” at the following link: https://youtu.be/gVkPcVia6CE

Study Guide for YouTube Video

https://breathingbygrace.blog/2020/07/20/1-6-inner-peace-assured-hope-of-prayer/

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Practical Application Activities

Please take time to reflect on the last six weeks together and answer the following questions. Then, please send your answers on to Dave and Julia. Thanks!

Questions:

• 1. How has your life of prayer grown stronger or been encouraged through your participation in this session?
  2. Is there a principle or two that you are planning to incorporate into your life going forward? What would those principles be?
  3. Do you have any suggestions for improving the format of the session (videos, study guides, blog postings, etc.)?

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