It all began with a simple prayer request from an 8-year-old student: “Please pray that my mom and dad don’t fight.” This honest and vulnerable plea caught me off guard. I had never encountered anything like it at such a young age, and it made me pause and reflect. I felt grateful that I hadn’t faced this situation myself, and until that moment, I hadn’t really considered what it would be like for a child to experience such difficulties. 

For an 8-year-old, the thought of the two people they love most in conflict is profound—so much so that it becomes their foremost prayer request.

Understanding the Students’ Realities

We often don’t know much about our students’ home lives or what they experience away from the ranch. During my four years working here, I’ve discovered things about children’s lives that I never would have imagined. My own upbringing was very different and filled with joy, even though I’ve known hardship, pain, and emotional stress myself. Reflecting on my own childhood, my biggest concerns were about school performance or whether a baseball game might be canceled due to rain. In contrast, the kids at the ranch seem to shoulder far more adult worries, growing up too quickly and facing challenges that were never part of my world.

While it’s not always somber at the ranch, every so often, we get a glimpse into our students’ realities—whether at home or at school—and it’s a sobering experience. It makes me appreciate my own childhood even more.

A Moment That Stuck With Me

The prayer request came at the start of class, before we headed down to the arena with the horses. That moment lingered with me throughout the session. I became more attentive in my interactions, not just with the student who made the request, but with all the students. On my drive home after class, I didn’t dwell much on the prayer request. My routine was the same: get home and take a shower. But that evening, something extraordinary happened—God spoke to me through the Holy Spirit. I felt a clear message: teach this student about My peace, specifically, My Shalom. Immediately, I knew this would be my focus for the next week’s classes.

God is the God of Peace—Jehovah Shalom!

Sharing the Message of Shalom

This message was so powerful that I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It became the topic of my Sunday School class that following Sunday, was discussed at our NGHR staff meeting, and finally, I shared it in class with the young student. I introduced the class to a new word in Hebrew: “Shalom,” which means peace. I explained that God cares deeply for each of them and had spoken to me specifically for their sake. Shalom was His gift to them, a word they could use anytime and anywhere, regardless of their circumstances. By simply saying “Shalom,” they could invite peace into their lives.

For the student who made the prayer request, I offered a practical suggestion: when mom and dad are fighting, quietly say, “Shalom.” Wherever they are, they can speak the peace of the Living God into their lives. Say “Jehovah Shalom”—God Peace. God hears our prayers, knows our hearts, and is able to deliver us from difficult situations if we ask.

I informed the other facilitators about the message before class, and one of them brought signs with “SHALOM” written on them. We incorporated them into our class activities.

Peace in Action

The following week, I wanted to know if the message had made an impact. I asked the student if they had said “Shalom” when their parents fought. Hearing the response—“Yes, I did. And it helped!”—was incredibly rewarding.

God’s Provision for Every Need

God is the God of Peace—Jehovah Shalom. He is also Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, and Jehovah Rapha, our Healer. In truth, God is everything we need for any situation. He sees us where we are and speaks to those willing to listen and act, making a difference in anyone’s life. 

All we need is to be willing to ask, listen, and follow His guidance.

Go in the peace of Jehovah Shalom.

-Dean Leicht