A Guarded Heart

Published on Apr 27, 2022
Category: Devotion | disciple

Philippians 4:6-7 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

A disciple prays about everything. 

To be anxious for nothing is a command, not an option. Paul here reminds the Philippian church and us, not to be anxious, whatever the situation. Every area of life is a matter of prayer, nothing is out of bounds. Prayer is to be specific. Thanksgiving is to be the hallmark of all prayer. We are to approach the throne of God with our prayers and supplications, from a place of worship, giving thanks to God, for who He is and what we know to be true of HIm in our lives and experience. Thanksgiving guards our hearts against a whining, complaining spirit. 

When we pray with thanksgiving we are promised that the peace of God will stand guard over our hearts. “What is God’s peace? The unruffled serenity of the infinitely-happy God, the eternal composure of the absolutely well-contented God.” (Spurgeon) The peace spoken of here isn’t something senseless and so difficult to understand, rather this peace is beyond our understanding and so must be experienced. God’s peace surpasses all understanding. Neither the worldly man nor the godly can comprehend this peace.

God’s peace stands guard over the hearts of those who prayer with thanksgiving. To stand guard refers to military action. It means to be on duty to protect or defend something. The peace of God is on guard over hearts and minds that choose to prayer about everything, with thanksgiving, thus guarding against worry, fears, doubts and whatever else might try to rob us of His peace.

Is yours a guarded heart?

Lord give me a heart filled with gratitude to you and teach me to bring every matter to you in prayer. 

Author

Preethi Alice Jacob

Preethi Jacob is the author of the yearlong devotional At the Potter’s Wheel, Day by Day. Her journey includes teaching a Bible Study Fellowship class, teaching and leading the Sunday School ministry in her church, leading Bible studies, besides counselling young women. She serves on the Global Mission Team of the United Bible Societies and lives in Bangalore, India with her husband and two young adult children.

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