”6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7New International Version (NIV)
Philippians 4:6-7 Devotional (Daily Bible Verse)
Do not be anxious about anything
Paul wrote Philippians 4:6-7 while he was imprisoned. And that Paul was able to “not be anxious about anything” even during his own imprisonment, makes this passage all the more encouraging.
But this does not imply a complete lack of concern. Nor does it mean Christians are to be careless. Instead, it means that believers should not be fearful, paranoid, or uneasy. Why not? Because Christians/believers can speak directly to God about the same – addressing problems in our lives should begin with prayer. After all, God is the Maker of heaven and earth, Who has all power and authority and is in total control of the situations of our lives.
Believers/Christians can therefore get rid of worry or anxiety by praying to and petitioning God. In response, God promises to give us inner peace, which will help you and me cope with anxiety and protect our minds and emotions. Because his peace “transcends/surpasses all understanding” and can help us beyond our expectations.
Actually, verse 7 says that the peace of God can guard our hearts. The Greek word here translated as “guard” is related to a military term that described what a garrison of troops did in order to guard a fortified city.
Similarly, the peace of God protects you emotionally and mentally, it helps you avoid becoming overwhelmed by life’s distressing problems. God’s peace protects us “by means of Christ Jesus,” since it is by Jesus Christ that we have a relationship with God (John 14:6; 16:23). He is also the way of approaching God.
Prayers and Petitions
Petitions are specific requests made to God. And therefore Christians can offer petitions “in every situation” or “in everything.”
Furthermore, prayers and petitions with thanksgiving to God express gratitude for what He has done and will do for us. Mature prayers and petitions include thanking God for what He has done in addition to asking for help in areas of need.
Therefore, focusing on reasons we have to thank God for helps us maintain a joyful outlook (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Prayer/Blessing
Lord, I want to learn to pray about everything. In every circumstance and situation, I want to lift my heart to you in prayer. Help me to move away from worry to prayer? No matter what happens, I want to substitute my worry with prayer.
Please give me the grace to pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. Rather than be anxious, I want to lift up my eyes over the hills and talk to You. Each time worry comes my way, please enable me to turn my concerns into prayers.
In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
James 1-5 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
