Based on The Fruit of the Spirit Study, by LGG / W2D3
Today’s Road Map for the Journey: Philippians 4:6-7; SOAP: Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. 7And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
This is one of my life verses, and a true game-changer. This verse is a beautiful lesson in how to pray, specifically how and why to give our anxiety to God. Praying is not meant to be just a dinner or bedtime routine. After all, Paul told the Thessalonian believers to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and here in Philippians he says to pray in every situation. Through Paul’s words, we are invited to bring God our prayers and petitions, including our anxieties; and Peter encourages us to cast all our cares on the Lord because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). John even wrote that we can be confident that God hears and answers our prayers according to His will (1 John 5:14); all with the promise that, in doing this, we will know the peace of God that passes all understanding, and it is a peace that will guard our hearts and minds as we live in Christ Jesus His Son. Friends, I have been practicing this for 37 years now, and I’m here to testify that His promise does not disappoint. It is not just a peace that makes you feel better; it truly overwhelms you and changes you from the inside out, as it guards your heart and mind from the troubles, anxieties, and other concerns of this life/world.
Addressing problems in our lives should begin with prayer.
Because I know what it is like to worry, and actually, what it is like to battle worries, fears, and anxieties of all types, I understand why Paul uses the word “anything”. And I appreciate that he doesn’t stop there, but once again offers a solution: “...in every situation, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God.”
God’s peace hasn’t changed or taken away my troubles, but it most definitely has changed me! Me from the Inside out đĻ
Friends, when we choose to pray to God and trust in Him, we will receive peace, and not just the peace that the world gives, but the peace of God. It is beyond our understanding, or as bibleref.com explains, it is “supernatural and unexplainable.” Time and time again, it has quieted my panic and worry with a peace that fills both my heart and mind.1 Whether it is in the middle of a wind storm that has startled me from my sleep, or in the hospital corridors waiting on the doctor to let you know a loved one is ok, or when my mind won’t quit spinning over a problem – whatever it is that shakes me – His peace always proves greater.
I love the way today’s journal entry puts it: “Notice Paul doesn’t say bring God the situations you’ve already tried to fix and couldn’t. He says to bring Him everything, both the big and the small. The things that keep you up at night and the things that quietly nag at you throughout the day. Nothing is too small for God’s attention, and nothing is too big for His power.
And when we do, when we genuinely lay it all at His feet with a surrendered heart of thanksgiving, His peace shows up like a guard standing watch over our hearts and minds. He doesn’t always remove the hard thing, but He stands between us and the anxiety that would otherwise consume us.“2
Prayer Response
Peace, peace, wonderful peace flows down from You, Father. It floods the soul, setting a guard on the mind and heart. It has rescued me from panic and quieted battles waging war in my mind. It has swept over my spirit again and again, and lies buried deep in the heart of my soul. What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace so secure that no power can take it away. Oh, how I bless Your name and loving kindness. ~Amen
Reflection and Application
What are you carrying today that you haven’t given to God yet?
- His hands are open, and He is ready to take it. In exchange, He offers you something the world can’t give: a peace that doesn’t make sense but is more real than anything you’ve ever felt. All you have to do is ask.
Worship Response
1 What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!
2 Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
3 Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge–
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.
Worship and Rejoice, 2003
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