PRAYER, PEACE, and the PRESENCE of GOD by David Butts

As believers, we are supposed to walk in the peace of Christ, yet we all have stressful issues and circumstances that rob us of this peace. Subtitled “A 30-Day Journey to Experience the Shalom of Jesus,” Prayer, Peace and the Presence of God powerfully encourages the reader on how to hold onto that peace in any circumstance.

When author, David Butts (1953-2022), first started writing this book, he got word ten days into the project that he was in stage 4 with a rare form of lymphoma. God not only allowed him to complete the book, but to live for five more full-strength years. His 30-day devotional will encourage, inspire and challenge you to walk in the peace of Jesus no matter what situations or struggles you are walking through.

Learn more about purchasing this book here

by Dr. Alvin VanderGriend)

 This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:9–10,13)

Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. (Revelation 8:3–5)

One of the most exciting discoveries that I ever made about prayer was that, when we are praying for ourselves [petition], if our hearts are right with God and we ask in accord with His will, God will give us what we ask (1 John 5:14–15). In an effort to personally claim that promise and receive God’s riches, I made a list of seventy-five spiritual qualities and blessings mentioned in scripture—things I could be sure were “in accord with God’s will.” I understood these to be God’s purposes in my life. I asked God for these things several times each week. What I found was that God, true to His word, heard and answered these prayers. Little by little these qualities and graces became more and more real in my life. God was answering because I was praying for what He wanted. I was praying kingdom prayers.

When we intercede in faith for things that God purposes to do, we can pray with absolute assurance that He hears and answers these prayers. They may not always be answered according to our expectations or on our timetables, but they will surely be answered. Our prayers contribute to what God is doing—building His kingdom.

 Spiritual Qualities & Blessings God Will Give to Those Who Ask

 Use this list to form your kingdom prayers. Perhaps you will want to journal through this list as you ask God for what you desire Him to develop in you, and as you ask Him for His blessing in your life.

• Love

“The fruit of the Spirit is…love.” (Gal. 5:22)

• Joy

“The fruit of the Spirit is…joy.” (Gal. 5:22)

• Peace

“The fruit of the Spirit is…peace.” (Gal. 5:22)

• Patience

“The fruit of the Spirit is…patience.” (Gal. 5:22)

• Kindness

“The fruit of the Spirit is…kindness.” (Gal. 5:22)

• Goodness

“The fruit of the Spirit is…goodness.” (Gal. 5:22)

• Faithfulness

“The fruit of the Spirit is…faithfulness.” (Gal. 5:22)

• Gentleness

“The fruit of the Spirit is…gentleness.” (Gal. 5:23)

• Self-control

“The fruit of the Spirit is…self–control.” (Gal. 5:23) 

• Truth

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth.” (Eph. 6:14)

• Faith

“Take up the shield of faith.” (Eph. 6:16)

• Hope

“We have this hope as an anchor.” (Heb. 6:19)

• Spiritual Wisdom

“Wisdom is supreme; therefore, get wisdom.” (Pr. 4:7)

• Goodness

“Make every effort to add goodness.” (2 Pet. 1:5)

• Knowledge

“Make every effort to add…knowledge.” (2 Pet. 1:5)

• Perseverance

“Make every effort to add…perseverance.” (2 Pet. 1:6)

• Godliness

“Make every effort to add…godliness.” (2 Pet. 1:7)

• Depth of Insight

“abound…in depth of insight.” (Phil. 1:9)

• Discernment

“able to discern what is best.” (Phil. 1:9)

• Blameless                     

“able to be…blameless.” (Phil. 1:10)

• Righteousness

“filled with the fruit of righteousness.” (Phil. 1:11)

• Understanding                     

“fill you with…spiritual…understanding.” (Col. 1:9)

• Worthy Life

“We pray that you may live a life worthy of the Lord.” (Col.   1:10)

• Please God in All Things       

“We pray that you may…please God in every way.” (Col. 1:10)

• Fruitfulness

“We pray that you may…bear fruit in every good work.” (Col.1:10)

• Spiritual Power

“We pray that you may…be strengthened with all power.” (Col. 1:11)

• Endurance

“so that you may have great endurance.” (Col. 1:1l)

• Gratefulness

“We pray that you may…joyfully give thanks.” (Col. 1:12)

• Compassion

“Clothe yourselves with compassion.” (Col. 3:12)

• Brotherly Kindness

“Clothe yourselves …with kindness.” (Col. 3:12)

• Humility

“Clothe yourselves with…humility.” (Col. 3:12)

• Forbearance

“Bear with each other.” (Col. 3:13)

• Forgiveness

“Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Col. 3:13)

• Word of Christ              

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” (Col. 3:16)

• Watchfulness

“Devote yourselves to prayer being watchful.” (Col. 4:2)

• Graciousness              

“Let your conversation be seasoned with salt.” (Col. 4:6)

• Obedience

“If anyone loves me he will obey my teaching.” (Jn. 14:23)

• Holiness

“You ought to live holy and godly lives.” (2 Pet. 3:11)

• Filling of the Spirit

“Be filled with the Spirit.” (Eph. 5:18)

• Conformity to Christ

“Predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.” (Rom. 8:29)

• Spiritual Riches

“Chosen…to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom.” (Jas. 2:5)

• God’s Calling

“Live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (Eph. 4:1)

• Grace

“But grow in the grace…of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Pet. 3:18)

• Spiritual Growth

“Crave spiritual milk so that…you may grow.” (1 Pet. 2:2)

• Spirit of Praise

“Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.” (Heb. 3:15)

• Blessings of the Lord

“The Lord bless you and keep you.” (Num. 6:24)

• Protection of the Lord

“The Lord will keep you from all harm.” (Ps. 121:7)

• Smile of God

“The Lord make his face to shine upon you.” (Num. 6:25)

• Sound Spirit

“May your…spirit be kept blameless…” (1 Thess. 5:23)

• Sound Soul              

“May your…soul be kept blameless…” (1 Thess. 5:23)

• Sound Body

“May your…body be kept blameless…” (1 Thess. 5:23)

• Praising Heart

“Praise the Lord, O my soul…” (Psalm 146:1)

• Repentance

“Godly sorrow brings repentance…” (2 Co. 7:10)

• Submission

“Submit yourselves, then, to God…” (Jas. 4:7)

• Prayer Devoted

“Devote yourselves to prayer.” (Col. 4:2)

• Meditation

“Meditate on it (the book of law) day and night…” (Jos. 1:8)

• Poor of Spirit

“Blessed are the poor in spirit.” (Matt. 5:3)

• Mournful

“Blessed are those who mourn.” (Matt. 5:4)

• Meekness              

“Blessed are the meek.” (Matt. 5:5)

• Hunger after Righteousness

“Blessed are those who hunger…after righteousness.” (Matt. 5:6)

• Merciful

“Blessed are the merciful.” (Matt. 5:7)

• Purity of Heart              

“Blessed are the pure in heart.” (Matt. 5:8)

• Peacemaker

“Blessed are the peacemakers.” (Matt. 5:9)

• Salt of the Earth

“You are the salt of the earth.” (Matt. 5:13)

• Light of the World

“You are the light of the world.” (Matt. 5:14-16)

• Delivered from Evil

“Deliver us from evil.” (Matt. 6:13)

• Abiding in Christ

“Abide in me and I will abide in you.” (John 15:4)

• Equipped for Good Work

“Thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:17)

• Integrity

“The integrity of the upright guides them…” (Prov. 11:3)

• Mind of Christ

“We have the mind of Christ.” (1 Co 2:16)                 

• Quietness and Confidence

“The fruit…will be quietness and confidence forever.” (Isa:17)

• Thinking God’s Thoughts

“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!” (Ps. 139:17)

• Useful to the Master       

Made holy, useful to the master.” (2 Tim. 2:21)

• Spirit of Worship

“Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.” (1 Ch.16:29)

• Thirst for God

“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (Ps. 42:2)

• Zeal for the Lord

“Never be lacking in zeal, keep your spiritual fervor.” (Rom. 12:11)

• Generosity

“Honor the Lord with your wealth.” (Pr. 3:9)

• Honesty

“Do not give false testimony…” (Matt. 19:18)

• Holy Spirit

“Your Father in heaven will give the Holy Spirit…” (Lk 11:13)

• Eternal Life

“The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 6:23)

Compiled by Dr. Alvin VanderGriend

© Harvest Prayer Ministries 2011

PRAYER, PEACE, and the PRESENCE of GOD by David Butts

As believers, we are supposed to walk in the peace of Christ, yet we all have stressful issues and circumstances that rob us of this peace. Subtitled “A 30-Day Journey to Experience the Shalom of Jesus,” Prayer, Peace and the Presence of God powerfully encourages the reader on how to hold onto that peace in any circumstance.

The author, David Butts, started writing this book and 10 days into it he got word that he was in stage 4 with a rare form of lymphoma. God allowed him to live, in a greater way, what he is challenging readers to do in Prayer, Peace and the Presence of God.

His 30-day devotional will encourage, inspire and challenge you that you, too, can experience and walk in the peace of Jesus no matter what circumstances you are walking through.

 Learn more about purchasing this book here

by David Butts

“Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said.“Peace! Be strong now; be strong.” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my Lord, since you have given me strength.” (Daniel 10:19)

Have you ever had such an amazing encounter with God that you thought you were going to die? Time and again in the Scriptures, we read of those who had such encounters. Without exception, there was great fear as they came into contact with God, whether it was Moses listening to God from a burning bush, or Mary receiving a message from the angel Gabriel.

The prophet Daniel had one of the more spectacular encounters as he was given a vision of an angelic being, who in all probability was the Lord Jesus in his pre-incarnate state. The similarities of the description in Daniel 10 of the angelic being and the clear description of Jesus as seen by the Apostle John in Revelation 1 are striking. Daniel’s response was to lose all strength and fall down before the Lord.

God dealt with Daniel’s fear in ways that are encouraging to us all. He spoke his peace to Daniel and everything changed. God’s peace always has that sort of dramatic effect in our lives. The Lord assured Daniel of his love for him and then spoke peace over him. More than words, the speaking of peace into someone’s life becomes a conduit for peace actually to begin to flow into an individual’s life. With the peace of God coming into Daniel’s life, the Lord could speak of strength and courage, and it had real meaning to Daniel.

It was in this place of peace where Daniel was strengthened that he could finally summon the courage to ask the Lord to speak to him. Do you suppose that it is often fear and lack of peace that prevents us from hearing what the Lord might be saying to us? We so often play the “what if?” game, which breeds fear and uncertainty to the point that we really don’t want to hear from God for fear of what He might say. His peace though, clears out those fears, brings strength, and puts us in a good place for the Lord to speak into our lives.

We often use the phrase, “paralyzed by fear.” That’s what fear does when it takes charge of our lives. We become too frightened to make decisions or to choose which way to go. Whether the fears are based on reality or fantasy is not even the issue. It is fear that prevents us from action. That’s why we so often quote the words of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt as he attempted to calm the fears of a nation paralyzed by the Great Depression, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

God has a supernatural way for us to deal with fear. It is accepting his peace into who we are. Receiving His assurances of love as Daniel did, we hear his words of peace and our fears begin to melt away. Strength comes as fears melt away, and peace resumes its rightful place over our heart.

My Prayer
Lord, I am so thankful that you understand the fears that I face. You don’t ever simply tell me to get over it. Instead, you assure me of your love and give me your peace. I confess my great need for this in our day of confusion and turmoil. I desperately need the peace that only comes from you.

Prayer Point
Ask the Lord not to allow you to be paralyzed by fear but always to be strengthened by his peace.

From Prayer, Peace and the Presence of God: A 30-Day Journey to Experience the Shalom of Jesus by David Butts ©PrayerShop Publishing, 2017

PRAYER, PEACE, and the PRESENCE of GOD by David Butts

As believers, we are supposed to walk in the peace of Christ, yet we all have stressful issues and circumstances that rob us of this peace. Subtitled “A 30-Day Journey to Experience the Shalom of Jesus,” Prayer, Peace and the Presence of God powerfully encourages the reader on how to hold onto that peace in any circumstance.

The author, David Butts, started writing this book and 10 days into it he got word that he was in stage 4 with a rare form of lymphoma. God allowed him to live, in a greater way, what he is challenging readers to do in Prayer, Peace and the Presence of God.

His 30-day devotional will encourage, inspire and challenge you that you, too, can experience and walk in the peace of Jesus no matter what circumstances you are walking through.

 Learn more about purchasing this book here