Chapter four of Philippians is filed with encouraging passages, and this week’s passage is packed to the gills with wisdom and practical insights.

Take a look at it for yourself in Philippians 4:6-7:

This passage is a part of the section of Paul’s letter to Philippi that is probably the best known portion of the entire missive. Chapter four is filled with encouragement, and with practical instruction. We can glean a lot of incredible insights form this chapter, and these two verses are no exception.

What we can gain from these passages isn’t simple fluff and empty words, but neither is it deeply theological and hard to understand. Paul’s words here encourage us to turn to God and allow him to guide us as we strive to live for him.

Paul addresses three major concepts here that I can see: worry, prayer, and peace. Each of them is connected to the others, and there is even a progression of sorts to be seen, moving from one to another to the third.

Do not be anxious

First, Paul gives the explicit instruction to not worry. His words here are simple and yet profound. Do not be anxious about anything. When we are anxious or worried, we become irritable and defensive, and we begin to rely upon our own strength instead of God’s strength. Anxiety is not a trait that the believer can afford to have in his life, because it displays a lack of trust.

But often, we don’t know how to do this. Not worrying or being anxious seems to be a lot harder to accomplish than we realize, and we give up easily. How can we eliminate this from our lives?

Present your requests to God

The simple answer to worry is prayer. Paul gives us a simple answer to a complex problem. How do we stop worrying? By praying. Let God’s power address our concerns. He is more than able, and his strength is enough to take care of anything we may face. Why expend our own energy, which is insufficient anyway, when relying upon him is much more beneficial for our lives?

In doing so, Paul gives three descriptors, by prayer, by petition, and with thanksgiving. The first term, “prayer,” refers to prayer in a general sense. “Petition” is a word that carries more of a sense of need, possibly even with a sense of urgency and specificity. Nothing is too small or insignificant to bring to God.

Finally, Paul says to do so with “thanksgiving.” God’s blessings upon our circumstances are frequent, even constant, and instead of always asking for more, we should express gratitude for what God has already done in our lives.

The peace of God

Reliance upon God brings peace. Even if specific prayers go unanswered as we would like, God’s peace is still bestowed upon us as we pray. Very often, we won’t understand or comprehend that peace; it doesn’t make sense. We can’t understand it, and yet it still descends.

Last of all, Paul describes that peace as one that guards our hearts and minds. This phrase encompasses the total inner person, and shows how God’s peace protects us from the onslaught of the world, which sneaks in through the anxiety Paul began with.

Question: How is your prayer life? What do you need to do to bring it even deeper than it is now? You can leave a comment by clicking here.