6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for catching every care we cast in your direction; taking every burden we offload onto your heart; and for welcoming every worry we leave at your throne of grace. Pray more; worry less? Indeed. You know my needs better than I do, but here are the ones most obvious to me, Father.
I need grace to know you are at work in the lives of people I love when it’s least evident. I need power to love others as Jesus loves me, rather than repaying them grouchy for grouchy, indifference for indifference, or criticism for criticism. I need wisdom for decisions lining up in front of me. I need your Spirit to be at work in my aching body.
Thank you for what you’ve already done? That’s an easy one. You’ve given me Jesus—who is my righteousness, holiness, and redemption; and a whole lot more! I praise and bless you for your indescribably gift!
7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
I gladly receive the promise and provision of your peace, Father. I don’t have to understand everything. I know your timing is Swiss and your ways are incomparable. Guard my fickle, wandering, impatient heart.
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
By faith, I set my mind, affections and gaze upon you, Lord Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith; my merciful Savior and mighty Lord; the fountain of grace and ground of all hope. For you are the most true and honorable, right and pure, lovely and admirable One in all of space and time. So very Amen I pray, in your tender and triumphant name.
