“Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].” (Philippians 4:6-7 AMP)
REFLECTION
There have been countless times when I’ve felt anxious or worried and instead of turning to false fixes, I turned to our faithful Father and I experienced the power of prayer. Sometimes it’s been when I was alone in the deep darkness of the night and, as I turned to Him in honest prayer, He met me where I was at and led me into the loving light of His peaceful presence, and I experienced deeper spiritual intimacy with the One who made us, knows and loves us best. Other times, it was in the refining flames of adversity and I sensed a strong prompting to ask fellow believers to pray with me, and I more deeply appreciated the vital importance of prayerful unity in the body of Christ. And then there were times when I was too proud to ask for prayer support because I didn’t want to appear to be a weak, unstable Christian — but the truth is that we are all fallible and in perpetual need of support, from the Lord and members of the body of Christ. Yes, let’s prayerfully discern who to ask for prayer support, but let’s not allow pride to poison our progress.
So, let’s first go — as we are — to our loving Lord in honest prayer, and if / when we are moved to reach out to others for prayer support, let’s prayerfully do so in faith, trusting Him to move powerfully, in His higher way, as we pray together in Jesus’ name.
PRAYER POEM
Loving Lord Jesus, Your name is above every other name. We may shift and shudder, but, in Your perfection You remain the same. Keep me tethered to You, irrespective of how I feel or what I face, and more deeply know the sufficiency of Your glorious grace.
