Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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           MISSION AS SHARING CHRIST

                       Philippians 4:4-9 

                           Dr. Julie Vinod

                          Salem MTC, NY


“6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

This passage from the book of Philippians is filled with exhortations by apostle Paul to the saints at Philippi about having a good attitude. He gives some specific advice on how to maintain an attitude well pleasing to God.

Paul says that we need to have an attitude of prayer. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (v. 6). God’s word in this Scripture portion advises us to invest in the habit of prayer and thankfulness knowing that the return on this investment will be the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding. Paul is trying to make us know that prayer is the answer to worry. Prayer is born of the instincts, the needs, the cravings, and the very being of man. "The possibilities of prayer are linked to the infinite righteousness and the omnipotent power of God."(E M Bounds) When a person prays, every part of his being unites with God in prayer. An effective fervent prayer of a righteous man is the supreme manifestation of trust in God.

Paul then says that if we give all our cares to God in prayer, His peace will guard or sustain our hearts and minds. Prayer takes hold of the promise and guides it to its marvelous end, removes the obstacles and makes a highway for the promise to reach its glorious fulfillment, which is peace. The kind of peace that Paul's talking about is peace with God, the kind of peace that Jesus came to bring mankind. When our hearts and minds are protected by peace in Christ, we find inner calm. Therefore, by submitting ourselves to God and trusting implicitly in Him, we can have the kind of peace that Paul is talking to us about. Sharing Christ as a mission through ceaseless wholehearted prayer will provide glorious peace.

                              PRAYER

Dear God, we want to thank You knowing that when we pray to You with our whole being, You will bless our entire lives with Your heavenly peace. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

                THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

“Blessed are those who surrender their lives completely in prayer and carry the mission of sharing Christ”

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