How I Find Serenity in the Place of Prayer

By Lola Salvador Akinwunmi, Career & Startup Strategist at LolaSal Inc.

Prayer is communication between one and a supreme being. The very thought of surrendering to someone or something may seem foolish, but it is in this foolishness that many have come to find peace, strength and wisdom in a very busy world.

Much to contrary belief, prayer isn’t for the weak. Instead I see prayer as one saying, I don’t know it all and I’m willing to listen and learn. I strongly believe some of the burnout issues many experience today can be resolved through a time of prayer in quietness and stillness away from all distractions.

Prayer has always played a big role in my life from the night time prayers my siblings and I recited at night or grace we said at mealtimes.  In fact, I believe so much in the power of prayer because I saw the evidence of answers to specific prayers made growing up.

My maternal grandmother was notorious for being the prayer warrior in the neighborhood and if there was a sign of a sniffle, she would immediately pray with us or anyone who stopped by and miraculously we got healed from whatever was ailing at the time.

Coming from that upbringing, prayer continued to play a huge role in my life right through college.  In school, I’d pray before exams or any big presentations. I also, saw the power of prayer at work when experiencing difficulty in a class and I’d simply ask for guidance on how to study in the form of prayer. The peace I felt after that time of prayer and the sense of direction and clarity was typically all I needed to find my aha moment in that course.

As an adult it has been no different through overwhelming situations from running a business or home life very quickly the scripture that says “Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders— He’ll carry your load, He’ll help you out…” Psalm 55:22 comes to mind and boy do I pile my troubles. Prayer remains my first line of therapy.

After I suffered a miscarriage and my doctor recommended therapy, I gently refused as I felt my strength and resolve comes from a place of prayer. I did pray, cry and pray again until I felt His peace to move on. For me, I knew prayer would do a lot more than therapy as I feel I have a relationship that makes it easy for me to pour out my heart. I got up and didn’t look back even in the weeks following as baby items I had purchased continued to arrive. Because I felt at peace in that situation, I knew I wouldn’t fall apart. This isn’t always the right course for everyone, so by all means seek therapy as sometimes a combination of both could be just what one needs to resolve or walk through any outstanding issues.

There’s something about being able to pour your heart out and not feel judged.  Not being religious about how or when I pray, has made a big difference as it really is like communicating with a friend sitting in the chair across from you, no ceremonies.  I pray in my car, kitchen, shower, on my walks there is no boundaries or time limits just the rule of no disturbance and/or distractions.

So it was when I got the call that I would need to have a biopsy, my first and only reaction was to engage in sessions of prayer (have a heartfelt conversation with God).  No phone calls were made to any family or friends, just me in my prayer closet and boy did we have a long conversation and it was prayers in the ensuing days when I got the all clear that sustained me once again seeing the miraculous hand of God that comes from a place of relationship and prayer.