Sept. 18, 2025

What If You Prayed First?

What If You Prayed First?

Send me a text Before reacting in fear or worry, what if you prayed first? In this episode, discover how prayer invites God’s peace before you take your next step. What’s your first move when worry shows up? Most of us rush to react; we start planning and rush to fix whatever goes awry in our lives. But Scripture invites us to flip the order: pray first, and let God’s peace steady us before we act. In today’s devotion, you’ll hear the story of Martin Luther King Jr. at a midnight kitchen tabl...

Apple Podcasts podcast player icon Spotify podcast player icon Amazon Music podcast player icon PocketCasts podcast player icon
Apple Podcasts podcast player icon Spotify podcast player icon Amazon Music podcast player icon PocketCasts podcast player icon

Send me a text

Before reacting in fear or worry, what if you prayed first? In this episode, discover how prayer invites God’s peace before you take your next step.

What’s your first move when worry shows up?

Most of us rush to react; we start planning and rush to fix whatever goes awry in our lives. But Scripture invites us to flip the order: pray first, and let God’s peace steady us before we act.

In today’s devotion, you’ll hear the story of Martin Luther King Jr. at a midnight kitchen table. Faced with threats and fear, he prayed first, and found the courage and peace to keep going. His story reminds us that prayer is not a last resort but a first response.

Main Scripture:

Philippians 4:6 – “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.”

By the end of this episode, you’ll discover:

  • Why worry drives us to react instead of rest
  • How prayer invites God’s peace before the solution comes
  • A simple prayer you can use when fear feels overwhelming

Today’s Challenge:

When worry rises today, pause and whisper this prayer: “Lord, I’m at the end. I need You.” Let His peace meet you before you take your next step.

Encouraged by today’s devotion?

Share this episode with a friend who’s facing stress or fear. And if this podcast has blessed you, please follow and leave a review; it helps more people find encouragement.

https://dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/68

https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/reviews/new/


Support the show

If this podcast encourages you, consider becoming a monthly supporter; your gift helps me keep sharing God’s Word and bringing these devotions to life each weekday. Become a supporter today.

Connect with Bart

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dailydevotionsforbusylives

Website: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com

Feeling spiritually drained? Start here. Download your free copy of my eBook Making Time for Jesus here.

WEBVTT

00:00:00.922 --> 00:00:17.231
"It's past midnight in a small kitchen in Montgomery. A young pastor stares into a cup of coffee, hands still shaking from a phone call that promised to 'take you and your family out'. He's exhausted and afraid.

00:00:12.131 --> 00:00:20.222
He's tempted to quit. The Montgomery bus boycott is boiling and the threats are real.

00:00:20.602 --> 00:00:35.112
He feels the weight on his shoulders, and it feels heavier than he can bear. He bows his head at the table, not to plan, but to pray, 'Lord, I'm at the end. I need you'. And what happened next changed him.

00:00:38.237 --> 00:00:57.527
Welcome to Daily Devotions for Busy Lives. I'm Bart Leger, and today we're asking, 'What if I prayed first? Before reacting or panicking, what if your first move was prayer?' That's exactly what scripture calls us to do, and it's the difference between carrying fear on your own or letting God carry you.

00:00:58.478 --> 00:01:02.768
6 tells us,"Don't worry about anything.

00:01:03.018 --> 00:01:08.397
Instead, pray about everything.

00:01:03.018 --> 00:01:30.138
Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done." In that quiet moment, Martin Luther King Jr. sensed God's steady presence and inner assurance that he wasn't alone and that he should stand firm. The threats didn't go away, but fear lost its grip on him. From that kitchen table, he sensed God's steadying presence. That's

00:01:30.138 --> 00:02:22.737
6 lived out before reacting to the storm, he prayed, and God gave peace to move forward with wisdom. Now, don't be like the church deacon that, according to the story, was in a meeting concerning an issue that had come up in the church. Fears were voiced and concerns for what to do were shared. After some discussion, the pastor spoke up and said,"Men, we need to pray about this." And one of them blurted out, "Pastor, has it come to that?" Isn't that often where we find ourselves? Faced with stress at work or conflict at home? Or maybe a personal fear that we can't shake? Our instinct is to react first. We draft the email, we argue back, go ballistic, or we scramble for control. And then prayer becomes the last thing we think about.

00:02:18.117 --> 00:02:41.481
To many, prayer is like the fire alarm behind glass. Break only in case of emergency. But Paul says it doesn't have to be that way. Don't let worry run the show. Instead, pray about everything: big problems, or small frustrations, future fears, or even tonight's dinner. Don't think for a moment that God doesn't care about these things.

00:02:41.912 --> 00:02:46.461
He invites us to talk to Him about whatever is concerning to

00:02:46.461 --> 00:03:28.292
when you pray first, peace comes before the solution comes. Verse 7 goes on to say that God's peace will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. God's peace literally stands watch over your mind and heart. That's what Dr. King experienced at that kitchen table, and that's what God promises to you. The day when worry starts to rise, pause and pray first. Before you act, whisper a prayer. Lord, I'm at the end. I need you. And then hand it over to Him and wait.

00:03:28.301 --> 00:03:32.512
Let His peace steady your heart before you take the next step.

00:03:33.331 --> 00:04:06.872
Father, forgive me for the times I let worry lead the way. Teach me to turn to you first in every situation. Guard my heart with your peace and help me trust that you're already at work in whatever concerns me. In Jesus' name, Amen. Thanks for joining me today on Daily Devotions for Busy Lives. Remember, peace comes when you pray first. Come back next time for more encouragement to help you live grounded in God's truth. Until then, God bless and have a great day.