“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:6-7 ESV)
Here in Philippians, the Apostle Paul gives two golden rules for those who seek peace: “Don’t worry about anything” and “Pray about everything”. He gives us sound advice to turn our worries into prayers.
We all have worries. We worry about our families, friends, health, jobs, finances…the “worry list” goes on and on. Wouldn’t it be great not to worry about anything?! The answer is actually very simple - if you want to worry less - pray more! Instead of spending your time worrying, spend your time praying! When you start to worry, just stop and pray! It really works!
Instead of being anxious, we should be at peace. The peace of God comes through prayer and supasses all understanding. As Christians, we all enjoy peace with God (see Romans 5:1), but we don’t always allow ourselves to be completely filled with the Spirit so that we can find the peace of God. The Spirit of the living and loving God wants to fill us to overflowing with His calming peace. He has both indwelling and filling ministries. As believers, we know the Holy Spirit indwells in us; however, oftentimes we allow our worries and anxieties to overcome us and thus we keep the Holy Spirit from completely filling us.
The deceiver is constantly at work trying to destroy our peace. Anxiety is one of the chief weapons he uses to wage spiritual warfare against us. We need to put on the armor of God to defend ourselves against his snares. The gospel of peace teaches us to pray to find peace. So put on your spiritual armor and pray at all times in the Spirit (see Ephesians 6:11-20).
Jesus promised us that He would pray the Father to send the Comforter, the Helper - that is the Holy Spirit to be with us always (see John 14:16, 26). It is through prayer, that we find communion with Him and allow His Holy Spirit to completely fill us. When we substitute prayer for worry, we find His peace - a peace that guards our hearts and protects us from wrong feelings; a peace that guards our minds and protects us from wrong thinking. We are protected against the worries that can drive us to despair and instead, we find true peace (see Isaiah 26:3) - the peace of God - a peace that transcends all understanding.
Father, send Your Holy Spirit and fill our hearts to overflowing. Guard our hearts and minds in Jesus that we may find Your peace - true peace beyond all understanding. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. †
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