Names of God: Through Thanksgiving & ChristmasSample

Paul commands the church of Philippi to be free of worry. He tells them to rely on the peace of God to guard their hearts and minds. Believers are told to take all of our needs, everything, to the Lord in prayer, and give thanks for the things that God has already done for us and will do for us. There are so many places in the Bible where believers are told not to worry or be afraid. The Lord must have foreseen our overwhelming struggle with anxiety. Anxiety and worry can hinder us from being effective for the Lord. When we make our fear of people or our fear of our circumstances larger than our God, we will find ourselves standing on sinking sand. We will hesitate to hold fast to His Word. We will miss precious opportunities to do what is right and good in the sight of God. When we are filled with worry, we become wavering, ineffective and unstable. When we are filled with anxiety, unbelievers around us will wonder why we have been trying to get them to surrender to a God that we don’t even trust with our problems. The solution to worry is prayer so that the peace of God will rest in our hearts.

What pervasive thoughts or fears have taken captive of your heart and consume your mind? When those thoughts come, will you pray for God’s peace?

Father God, You are so much bigger and larger than anything that I could ever face. The heavens can’t even contain You. Lord, lift and remove those burdens that I have been struggling to carry, yet refusing to release. Calm this fearful heart today, Lord. Give me peace of mind and peace of heart as I face those things that overwhelm me. Remind me of Who You are and Who You have been for me in every circumstance. My Peace. My Father. My Defender. My Protector. Trustworthy in every way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.