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
Prayer is our opportunity to commune with God. Prayer is when we engage with God to share our hearts and hear from him in an intimate conversation. Paul shares in Philippians that prayer is something we should do INSTEAD of being anxious. Something we should do in EVERY situation. And something we should layer with THANKSGIVING. Paul goes on to say in verse 7 that when we do this, we will receive peace. What a wonderful gift! I don’t know about you, but when I am feeling anxious, I feel like nothing is guarding my heart. I feel like my heart is all over the place with no boundaries or directions. It’s a scary (and dangerous) place to be.
Philippians 4.6-9 is one of my favorite memory passages to recall when I am feeling anxious. Paul reminds me of what I need to be doing instead (praying, v. 6), what I will receive when I do so (peace and a guarded heart, v. 7), what I should be thinking about instead of anxious thoughts (anything that is excellent or praiseworthy, v. 8), and that he will be me (v. 9). Remember Paul says that this applies in every situation.
There is nothing too big or too small that we cannot bring to the Lord. No anxiety exists that cannot be guarded by the peace of God.
Lord, I thank you for all of your benefits toward me. Salvation, your Word, grace, and mercy. I thank you for all the earthly blessings you have given me to enjoy. Family, friends, and provisions. I thank you that you want to hear my prayers and engage with me. I bring to you a burden on my heart that is concerning me (name a specific circumstance or situation in your life right now that you find yourself feeling anxious about). I lay my anxieties and worries about this situation at your feet; I give them over to you. I thank you that I can rest and receive your peace by placing my trust in you.
