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. Phil. 4:6-7
Dear Lord Jesus, I’ve memorized this Scripture, taught it, preached it, and prayed it for many struggling friends. Today, however, I need to lay hold of it for myself. I know you don’t want us to “suck it up” or pretend, for the gospel frees us from that inauthentic way of life. So here I am, as honest as I can be before you.
Jesus, it was you who turned the chaos of an unformed world into the beauty of creation. Please do the same with all the chaos dancing around me and in me. Replace my fretfulness and antsy-ness, my disquiet and edginess, with order and beauty.
For the things that grieve me, bring your tear-wiping hand. For the things that offend me, keep me from a critical and selfish spirit. For the things the people who, flat out, wear me out, grant me compassion. For the things that cause me great concern, grant me the perspective of heaven and gospel sanity. Please don’t let me fall into the cynical spirit of “Whatever!”
For the things over which I have no control, give me a fresh vision of the occupied throne of heaven. For the things I do have control over, grant me wisdom and strength to act accordingly. Please help me steward my ambivalence and conflicted-ness to your glory. I don’t want to waste this moment or these feelings.
Lord Jesus, none of us have any reason to doubt either your mercy or your might. You gave your life for us upon the cross. You’ve risen to make all things new. You’re unremittingly praying for us and pursuing our hearts. No one loves us more than you do.
So may your peace rule afresh as the umpire in our hearts—guarding, centering and settling us. Protect us from the destructive lies of Satan, the fruitlessness of resentment, and the vanity of trying to be our own saviors. So very Amen I pray, with hunger and hope, in your most trustworthy name
