But how do we experience the peace of God? Paul argues that we experience the peace of God through the window of prayer and petition, coupled with thanksgivings. But experience has proven that often prayer does not work. You can pray your heart off, by often nothing or not much happens. But why do our fervent prayers produce almost nothing? The answer is simple. By recommending prayer and petition with thanksgivings, Paul is not proposing a recipe or a magic formula. Paul is talking about a relationship; an intimate relationship that must exist between God and us. In order for the peace of God to invade our hearts, we first must have peace with God himself. The peace of God cannot grow in the heart of those who live in rebellion against God.