
Restoration of the Soul
‘Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the entre of your life.’ Philippians 4:7, The Message
To the Celtic Christians, the symbol of the circle was poignant. There is encircling prayer, representing the whole of God, behind, before, above and below. It is precious to feel totally enveloped in the love of God, with the experience of a deep peace that passes our human understanding. It helps to melt away our worries as we rest our prayer petitions with God, who listens and hears.
It is easy to feel peaceful when all around us is well. The incredible nearness of God is that this deep peace is available to us at any time, even in the midst of turmoil. While we are in this difficult and unchartered season, how do we nurture ourselves to receive God’s deep peace?
Knowing ourselves and how we connect with God is important in these times. For some of us, being in the garden and appreciating the new growth of flowers and plants helps us to experience awe and wonder.

Photo by Alison Cansdale
In the past two days, I have watched as a beautiful Iris has burst out in rich deep purple and yellow. It was a moment for me to experience deep peace, awe and wonder.
For some of us the warm sunshine on our faces, with deep breaths of savouring, this sudden Spring weather will give us centring and grounding in God.
For others, it might be watching a film or reading an inspiring book that enables us to find that place of peace within, allowing our minds to relax and be inspired.
When was the last time you felt the deep peace of God?
Where is the best place for you to receive it?
God never runs dry of love and peace for us, and towards us. Reach out today with an open heart and know the deep restoration of God through the Holy Spirit. Whatever your special place is, find a few minutes today to breathe in the love that surrounds you, always.