Q&A with David Butts
Author of "Prayer, Peace and the Presence of God"
Q: Why do you think praying for peace is important in today's culture?
A: Peace is a God-value. It comes as people move into right relationship with God and then begin to pray about His peace coming into their lives. In the midst of an anxiety-ridden world, there is no greater gift than peace. Christians are to model that peace, speak of it, and pray it into the lives of those around them.
Q: You mention in the book that you believe peace is one of the specific signs regarding End Times. Can you explain?
A: In Peter’s second letter, in the third chapter he warns of the coming destruction of the earth and the turmoil that immediately precedes this. Then in verse 14 he tells us, “So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” When the world is falling apart, one of the key marks of a follower of Jesus is that they will be at peace. That’s because they have cultivated peace through the presence of Jesus and realize that peace is not dependent upon what is happening around you.
Q: You talk about the scripture that tells us to live peaceably with all people. In our increasingly polarized society, how is that possible?
A: The Apostle Paul wrote in Rom.12:18, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Paul certainly recognizes the difficulty of living in peace when others don’t want to. He doesn’t tell us that we’re always going to be able to be at peace with others. What he does though, is puts the follower of Jesus firmly into the place of being the one who always desires peace. Paul’s admonition here is an echo of the words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount, “blessed are the peacemakers.” Peace should always be the desire of a Christian’s heart.
Q: During the writing of the book, something happened to you that could have derailed your own personal peace. Talk about that.
A: A little over a week into my writing process, I received a call from my doctor telling me that test results showed that I had Mantle Cell Lymphoma. Obviously, the writing stopped while we scoured the internet trying to learn about this disease. What we found wasn’t encouraging. When I saw my doctor again, it was confirmed that I was in Stage IV of this incurable cancer and had to move quickly into treatment.
A: Peace is a God-value. It comes as people move into right relationship with God and then begin to pray about His peace coming into their lives. In the midst of an anxiety-ridden world, there is no greater gift than peace. Christians are to model that peace, speak of it, and pray it into the lives of those around them.
Q: You mention in the book that you believe peace is one of the specific signs regarding End Times. Can you explain?
A: In Peter’s second letter, in the third chapter he warns of the coming destruction of the earth and the turmoil that immediately precedes this. Then in verse 14 he tells us, “So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” When the world is falling apart, one of the key marks of a follower of Jesus is that they will be at peace. That’s because they have cultivated peace through the presence of Jesus and realize that peace is not dependent upon what is happening around you.
Q: You talk about the scripture that tells us to live peaceably with all people. In our increasingly polarized society, how is that possible?
A: The Apostle Paul wrote in Rom.12:18, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Paul certainly recognizes the difficulty of living in peace when others don’t want to. He doesn’t tell us that we’re always going to be able to be at peace with others. What he does though, is puts the follower of Jesus firmly into the place of being the one who always desires peace. Paul’s admonition here is an echo of the words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount, “blessed are the peacemakers.” Peace should always be the desire of a Christian’s heart.
Q: During the writing of the book, something happened to you that could have derailed your own personal peace. Talk about that.
A: A little over a week into my writing process, I received a call from my doctor telling me that test results showed that I had Mantle Cell Lymphoma. Obviously, the writing stopped while we scoured the internet trying to learn about this disease. What we found wasn’t encouraging. When I saw my doctor again, it was confirmed that I was in Stage IV of this incurable cancer and had to move quickly into treatment.
Q: How difficult was it for you continue to write a book on prayer and peace when you got the news about your cancer?
A: My wife, Kim, often tells people that we have not shed a single tear over cancer, but many tears over the love shown us by so many people. There’s no doubt that the cancer diagnosis caused us concern, but I have to say firmly that we never lost our peace. I had been studying Scriptures on peace for over six months in preparation for the writing of my book, and those scriptures had prepared my mind and my emotions for this jarring intrusion into normal life. As soon as we were able to get past the initial medical work and into treatment, I was ready to go right back into writing on peace. I believe I was able to write with greater compassion and even greater insight because of what I was going through physically.
Q: What would you say are the main issues that steal peace from most people?
A: Much of what steals peace is not external, but internal. Our thoughts and emotions are out of control and keep us anxious, regardless of our circumstances. People try everything from meditation and exercise to drugs in order to experience calm and overcome anxiety. Then when external issues like loss of a job, relational problems, illness, and many others come along, we simply don’t have the internal resources to deal with that.
A: My wife, Kim, often tells people that we have not shed a single tear over cancer, but many tears over the love shown us by so many people. There’s no doubt that the cancer diagnosis caused us concern, but I have to say firmly that we never lost our peace. I had been studying Scriptures on peace for over six months in preparation for the writing of my book, and those scriptures had prepared my mind and my emotions for this jarring intrusion into normal life. As soon as we were able to get past the initial medical work and into treatment, I was ready to go right back into writing on peace. I believe I was able to write with greater compassion and even greater insight because of what I was going through physically.
Q: What would you say are the main issues that steal peace from most people?
A: Much of what steals peace is not external, but internal. Our thoughts and emotions are out of control and keep us anxious, regardless of our circumstances. People try everything from meditation and exercise to drugs in order to experience calm and overcome anxiety. Then when external issues like loss of a job, relational problems, illness, and many others come along, we simply don’t have the internal resources to deal with that.
About David Butts:
For more than 13 years, David Butts served as Chairman of the Board for the National Day of Prayer Task Force. He is also serves as President for Gospel Revivals, Inc., and is a board member of Denominational Prayer Leader’s Network, Pioneer Bible Translators, Mission American Coalition, Awakening America Alliance, and the International Conference on Missions. Dr. Butts received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lincoln Christian College, and Bachelors and Masters from Indiana State University. In 2014, he received the Doctor of Philosophy in Theology (PhD) from Atlantic Coast Theological Seminary. From 1974-1992, Dr. Butts served in various pastoral roles in local churches. In 1993, he and his wife, Kim, launched Harvest Prayer Ministries. Besides authoring numerous magazine articles on prayer and missions for various publications, Dr. Butts is the author of eleven books. For more information, visit www.HarvestPrayer.com.
Endorsements:
"Dave Butts is a man who lives in and experiences the presence of God daily. This is why I want you to go on this 30-day spiritual journey with me. When it is over we will pray more effectively, walk in greater peace personally, and experience God's presence powerfully. May the peace of Christ be with you like never before." -- Dr. Ronnie Floyd, senior pastor, Cross Church, past president, Southern Baptist Convention
"I love this devotional written by one of my favorite people, Dave Butts, on a most important subject. It has been a joy to begin to use one of the devotionals each day as a portion of my early morning times with the Lord. They have already been a source of great blessing and encouragement. I highly recommend Prayer, Peace and the Presence of God to you!" -- Paul Cedar, Chairman, The Mission America Coalition
"Prayer, Peace and the Presence of God is an inspirational tool designed to help every believer establish a consistent devotional life. Dave Butts's biblical insights and practical applications in prayer will lead you into God's presence. Our strength, our help and our peace emanate from our intimacy with Jesus and this book provides an entire month of intimate possibilities!" -- Dr. William M. Wilson, President, Oral Roberts University
"Few people have inspired my prayer life more than Dave Butts. This 30-day journey will not just transform your prayer life, but will transform your soul. Dave's own journey from anxiety to peace will help you pray from the depth of God's Word." -- Gene Appel, Senior Pastor, Eastside Christian Church, Anaheim, CA
"I love this devotional written by one of my favorite people, Dave Butts, on a most important subject. It has been a joy to begin to use one of the devotionals each day as a portion of my early morning times with the Lord. They have already been a source of great blessing and encouragement. I highly recommend Prayer, Peace and the Presence of God to you!" -- Paul Cedar, Chairman, The Mission America Coalition
"Prayer, Peace and the Presence of God is an inspirational tool designed to help every believer establish a consistent devotional life. Dave Butts's biblical insights and practical applications in prayer will lead you into God's presence. Our strength, our help and our peace emanate from our intimacy with Jesus and this book provides an entire month of intimate possibilities!" -- Dr. William M. Wilson, President, Oral Roberts University
"Few people have inspired my prayer life more than Dave Butts. This 30-day journey will not just transform your prayer life, but will transform your soul. Dave's own journey from anxiety to peace will help you pray from the depth of God's Word." -- Gene Appel, Senior Pastor, Eastside Christian Church, Anaheim, CA