Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (7) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things. (9) The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

The letter to the Philippians was written by the apostle Paul. In our verses Paul writes that Christian thought life forms the basis for our behavior and not just our outward behavior. The gospel does not just add to our life, it is a new life where we are changed at the core through faith in Christ. God opens the minds of the believers. Paul exhorts the Philippians to pray about their circumstances instead of worrying about them – to commit them to God in prayer, trusting He will provide deliverance. Anxiety is the most common mental disorder; anxiety over health, finances, children etc, and Paul advises us to pray with thankfulness about every concern. Anxiety comes from a lack of faith and the wrong focus on things of this world. Paul wants Christians to have God’s joy in every situation. Prayer is the procedure and peace is the result.

Our verses are a wonderful promise in connection with prayer – the Lord warned against anxious thoughts. When we are in the midst of trouble nothing is gained by worrying and trouble only seems more exaggerated when we try to carry our own burdens. The Spirit of God points the way out and wants to bring everything – great and little perplexing conditions and trying circumstances – into the presence of God and leave them there. We are to make our requests to God and God will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus with the peace that passes all understanding. We cannot obtain this peace for ourselves. We are in a relationship with God; in all things He is our refuge. Our prayers may not always be answered as we want to have them answered. God alone knows what is best. We put our cares before God and He puts His peace into our hearts; Gods hears the faithful.

Prayer needs to replace worry in the Christian life. It is the recipe for conflict resolution. Prayer realigns us and restores peace – peace that comes from God, not peace with God and this is the promise of our verses. Anxiety brings no peace but praying does. In chapter 5 of the book Alcoholics Anonymous, the introduction to how it works, millions of suffering alcoholics are told “Without help it is too much for us. But there is one who has all power – that One is God. May you find Him now! Half measures availed us nothing. We stood at the turning point. We asked for His protection and care with complete abandon.” Rejoice in Christ always, be forbearing with all people, pray about difficult situations, think about wholesome subjects and practice apostolic teaching.