There is good news:
People are praying. Though Christians’ views differ widely on political issues, the current climate is literally bringing people to their knees. I see it. I hear about it. I now actually have a scheduling conflict because I have two prayer meetings scheduled at the same time.
What a great problem!
Recently I’ve been chewing on Philippians 4.
Two verses, really, contain all we need to see radical change—in our hearts and in our nation. So often I’m doing all this Bible study, all this reading and trying to learn more, when really, if we’d just DO the most simple things Scripture tells us, things would be dramatically different. Here are three things from Phil. 4:6-7
“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.”
-
DO NOT be anxious.
Girls, guys, this is a command. This means when we have a wild bucking bronco of a thought-life, and our fears and anxieties are yanking us around something terrible, we’ve got to rope those thoughts DOWN and make them obedient to Jesus. Fear will lead us to make terrible decisions. Only the fear of the Lord (acknowledging His rightful place as Lord and King) brings wisdom.
This starts by recognizing I am not my own. My life is Christ’s. My mind is His. My family is His. My body is His. My marriage is His. My country is His. My money is His. I have been bought with a price and I am not my own. So I do not have the legal right to let my thoughts run amok. My only hope of joy, peace, stability, and victorious living, is to take those thoughts captive and make them bow down to their rightful Lord and Master, King Jesus.
-
With Thanksgiving.
Oh, that we’d give THANKS! What a game-changer this is! If all we resolved to do this year was become habitual thankers, what a difference we’d see in our mindset, our marriage, our families. If we would devote ourselves to a daily thanksgiving habit, things would change.
-
Present your requests to God.
Pray. Oh, that we’d PRAY. I am the first to raise my hand, that we have been a nation of so-called Christians who simply do not pray. We are spiritual sloths, content to stay in the same place, eating Sunday’s leftovers day after day, instead of fervently, passionately, patiently, faithfully, pressing in in prayer and seeking God’s heart, His will, letting His kingdom come and His will be done HERE on earth as it is in heaven. We’ve embraced apathy and called it His sovereignty. We’ve ignored injustice and shrugged our shoulders, assuming it’s “His will.”
Sisters, we must pray.
And it begins with simple stuff, daily stuff. How often have we made requests known to everyone but God?! That is, how often have we wished, lamented, vented, Facebooked, texted a friend, or Googled an issue, instead of simply presenting our requests to God. Note it doesn’t even specify “needs” here. It’s just “requests.” Anything we want, anything, we can go ahead and lay before God. He’s smart enough to sort through it all and let us know what makes the cut. How much time and metal energy would we save if we went to Him first! Man, this is really hitting home. Just this week I wasted so much time …
Anyway.
Notice the promise: Peace. Isn’t this what we’re all desperate for these days? Isn’t this what we need as a shield about our minds and hearts right now? He promises His peace will guard us, a peace so much greater even than familial peace or national peace. His peace can endure no matter what outward circumstances you face.
No matter how hectic your house or heart may feel today 😉 may we do these 3 simple things and enjoy His unshakable peace, today and always.
Happy Thanksgiving. Thanks for reading.