Philippians 4:6-7: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need,”
Heavenly Father, “pray more, worry less”? Apart from the Gospel, this would simply be a formula for shutting down anxiety and fear. But you don’t dole out formulas, you give us yourself. To pray is to fellowship with you, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit—to enter your perpetual welcome, and receive daily mercies. Thank you.
What do we need? 1. Grace upon grace for our war-weary hearts. 2. A clear faith-sighting of you peacefully, sovereignly occupying heaven’s throne. 3. We want to hear the Spirit’s witness in our hearts (Rom. 8:16) louder than any other voice. 4. We want/need fresh, robust love for Jesus, and kindness for others. (Add your own 5. 6. and 7.)
6b “and thank him for all he has done.”
Thank you for what you’ve already done? That’s easy Father. You have given Jesus to us and for us. He is our righteousness, holiness, and redemption—our active Advocate, ruling King, returning Bridegroom… and a whole lot more.
7” Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus”.
Peace-guarded hearts and minds… yes, Father, grant us a large measure of that wonderful reality. We don’t have to understand everything now. Some (much) of your providential work in our world will only yield peace after Jesus returns.
Until then, we trust you for sufficient grace, quick repentances, upward-looking hearts, and outward-directed generosity and encouragement. So Very Amen.