25 Bible Verses for Experiencing Peace

Peace is a highly valued commodity, and many people seek it. In the hectic pace of modern life, we look for a calm refuge in the storm. When our hearts are troubled and anxious, we long to experience inner peace. Allow these Bible verses about peace to settle your thoughts as you focus on the promises of our great God, who is the only source of perfect peace. 

What Does the Bible Say About Peace?

The Bible teaches that peace is found in God alone, even though people spend their days searching for it in countless other places. The Lexham Theological Wordbook defines peace as “the wholeness, soundness, and well-being that characterizes God and that God created in the world. As peace was broken due to human sin, such well-being constitutes the hope for ultimate restoration by God.”

In Scripture, peace is the result of being made right with God through a relationship with Jesus Christ. The original Hebrew word for “peace” is shalom, a term rich with meaning. The best English translations of shalom are found in words such as “completeness, wholeness, well-being, and welfare.” The root expression refers to “being complete or sound.”

The original Greek word translated as “peace” is eirēnē. Like shalom, eirēnē can be used as a welcoming greeting or a farewell, as in “peace be with you.” It means “absence of war or conflict” as well as “well-being and interpersonal harmony.”

Ultimately, peace is the gift of God to believers through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. It means more than the mere absence of conflict. Biblical peace is an inner disposition that reflects the ideal of creation restored to a state of harmony with God and others in wellness, wholeness, love, righteousness, holiness, and calm.

Peace With God Through Jesus

The supreme provision of God’s peace is apprehended in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Only through a restored relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ can one experience peace with the Heavenly Father.

Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. (NLT)

Acts 10:36
This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. (NLT)

Matthew 6:25–27
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (ESV)

Matthew 6:28-30
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? (NIV)

Matthew 6:33–34
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (NLT)

Mark 4:36–40
So they took Jesus in the boat and started out  … But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (NLT)

John 14:27
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (NLT)

John 16:33
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (NLT)

Philippians 4:6–7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Ephesians 2:14
For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. (NLT)

Peace in God’s Presence

Peace is a characteristic of God’s nature. He provides peace for those who desire to please him by obeying his words and laws. 

Numbers 6:24–26
“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (NIV)

Psalm 4:8
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety. (NIV)

Psalm 29:11
The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. (NIV)

Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! (NLT)

Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (ESV)

John 14:1–3
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” (NLT)

1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace ... (NLT)

Peace Through the Holy Spirit

Peace is a sign and a fruit of the Holy Spirit’s work within the believer.

Galatians 5:22–23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (NIV)

Romans 8:6
So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. (NLT)

Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit … (NIV)

Obedience and Right Living Bring Peace

Believers maintain peace through close fellowship with God.

Psalm 119:165
Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble. (NLT)

Psalm 85:8
I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. (NLT)

Proverbs 16:7
When people’s lives please the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them. (NLT)

Isaiah 48:18
Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea. (NLT)

Isaiah 54:13
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. (ESV)

Sources

• Lookadoo, J. (2014). Peace. D. Mangum, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, & R. Hurst (Eds.), Lexham Theological Wordbook. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
• Carpenter, E. E., & Comfort, P. W. (2000). In Holman treasury of key Bible words: 200 Greek and 200 Hebrew words defined and explained (p. 135). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.