
Where do you look when you need a little encouragement? This portion of Paulās letter to the Philippians gives them exactly that so they donāt lose heart. It takes work to be positive amidst struggle, ridicule, and, for the Philippian church, to be new Christians living among Jews who thought they were crazy.
We may take some of the same kind of heat for our own faith. I think thatās why we often keep our mouths shut when the opposite is more appropriate for the situation. We worry about what people will think of us. We worry we wonāt have the right words to say. We certainly donāt want to ever do anything to bring shame to Jesus with our blunders.
Itās appropriate that Paulās counsel is āDonāt worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.ā There is something very therapeutic when you can leave your worries at Jesusā feet simply by praying and believing you have been heard.
How many times have you not prayed for something and clung to your worry instead? Maybe you told yourself God already knows what youāre going through, thereās no need to pray. Instead, to recapture the joy God intends, we need to pray. Thatās why Paul encourages us to ātell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.ā
Why is that so hard? Note there are two parts to Paulās instruction. Thanking God is also a very important part of prayer. Showing our gratitude doesnāt only give God a message of appreciation, but it helps us, too. Itās very hard to be mad, fearful, sad, or angry when youāre focused on giving thanks to God for the blessings in your life.
There are some real gems in todayās short passage. Being in relationship with God has so many perks. Joy and peace are two very precious gifts we can experience when we are open to God, sharing our needs and desires with him. The world can be crumbling around us, but when we remember what Jesus did for us, how God sent his son to die for us out of his love, we canāt help but feel something profound.
I call that little flutter in my stomach joy. Thatās the joy from being āin the Lord.ā If Iām having a bad day and need a boost of joy, I just remember what Jesus did for me, what he is doing for me every day, and what he will do when he comes again. Our text even says to remember, āthe Lord is coming soon.ā Even if we take the Greek translation, āthe Lord is near,ā that can also help us muster up some joy when we need it.
I would encourage you to sit quietly, close your eyes, and imagine that Jesus is sitting right beside you. You can almost hear his breath and feel his heart beating with love for you. In the silence of that moment, imagine he reaches his hand to yours. You sit there together, feeling a peace you canāt describe. Itās like the world has faded away.
This is the last of our texts on the theme āHoly Spirit & Prayer.ā The message that rings out for me is, donāt worry, simply pray. Trust Jesus to bring the joy and peace.

Letās pray. Lord, forgive me for those times when I try to figure it out or do it all myself and feel overwhelmed. I know I donāt need to get lost in my worry but simply pray. Thank you that I can come to you and tell you exactly what I need. You will listen and respond with what is best for me. Fill me with your peace today. In Jesusā name. Amen.