Suddenly awake I lay there in the bed hoping to return to the land of dreams. The quiet permeated the room and not even the dog expressed her usual snore. Giving thanks in those silent moments took me to a place recalling people for whom the promise of prayer had been given over the past week. Thoughts of each individual lingered as I asked God for answers to each person’s prayer. In those moments of silence in the presence of communing with the Creator, there arose a sense of connectedness that brought about a state of peace. Gratitude engulfed me like a cocoon holding its chrysalis that would soon emerge as a different expression from the previous being. Lying there before the dawn, consumed with thankfulness, I recalled the words of the Apostle Paul to the church in Philippi when he said: “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.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)