6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6–7
I’ve literally used this verse as a life preserver in times of severe stress. This would be in addition to teaching it as a great text on prayer with its four key words on the subject.
First of all, this life verse can be quoted literally to obtain the peace of God, as many times as necessary. We can apply it freely and liberally. I have! We also need to realize that we’re aiming to obtain “the peace of God that surpasses all comprehension,” not so much what we think we need!
Secondly, if we look closely, the verse refers to prayer generally as a prayer, a supplication (a plea), a request, and a thanksgiving, using four different Greek words: proseuchē, deēsei, aitēmata, and eucharistias, respectively. Prayer is always to God, it is the way we appeal to God for help, and there is no limit to how many times we can “boldly” approach the throne by way of and through Jesus (Ephesians 3:12). It is important to note, to be effective, it should be offered with thanksgiving that we can even make our requests known to him, that he hears us, and that in his own way and timing, he will answer us.
Most importantly, it is the tool used to guard our hearts and minds against the debilitating effects of anxiety and fear. It’s the only way to keep ourselves (our hearts and minds) within the confines of his protection.
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