We're in a series called "Finding Peace in a Pandemic". All this week we're having a prayer focus birthed out of Philippians 4:4-9 that will help us experience peace no matter what circumstances we face. We want to encourage you to read this short passage every day this week, and even set as a goal to memorize verse 4.
This week we'll be live on Facebook each morning at 7:30 am. Join us then or check out the video on our Facebook page later.
Monday - Philippians 4:4 - Today we're using this verse to choose joy and to guide our prayers. No matter what the circumstances, we can choose joy "in the Lord". TODAY'S FOCUS: take a few moments to list out the things you are joyful for and then pray and thank God for those things and commit, with His help, to choose joy today.
Tuesday - Philippians 4:5 - Today we're learning from this verse that we are called to have the same character of Jesus and others should see it and we see in the passage this very simple but powerful phrase: "The Lord is near". Whatever you are going through, don't forget that The Lord is near. TODAY'S FOCUS: pray and thank God that He is near. Ask Him to shape your character, and throughout the day try to remind yourself of God's presence. He's with you. He's for you. He is near.
Wednesday - Philippians 4:6 - How do we kill anxiety? Pray about everything – the small, the big, for others, for yourself, your emotions, all of it – not for the situation or the hardship necessarily but that God is there and cares, and that He hasn’t left us. Make known your requests, the things on your heart – share them with God. TODAY'S FOCUS: Present your requests to God. In everything – share your heart with God today. When anxiety or frustration crops up – bring it to God. Let God handle what we think we can't.
Thursday - Philippians 4:7 - Today we're learning that peace of God is beyond human understanding. That's such good news. It isn't based on circumstances - it's something deeper and more solid & His peace can help guard (protect) our hearts (our emotions) and our minds (our thinking). TODAY'S FOCUS: Ask God to help guard your emotions and your thinking and bring you peace. Whenever your mind or your heart starts to spiral or head down a rabbit hole, bring it to God in prayer.
Friday - Philippians 4:8-9 - Paul, the author finishes this section with a list of ways we need to be thinking, no matter what our circumstances are & he says, the peace of God will be with you when you get your thinking right. PRAYER FOCUS: Ask God where you’re thinking about the wrong things? Have Him examine your heart. And when/if He shows you something, ask His forgiveness and help to think rightly. When we think about the right things, we can have God’s peace.