Neville Turley

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

The t-shirt emblazoned with the words “Keep calm and carry on” is universally popular throughout the English-speaking world. It is something to which we can all relate. For nothing is more difficult than staying calm when we are under pressure due to circumstances beyond our control.

That is when we need to remember the words of the poet, Alfred, Lord Tennyson; “Closer is he than breathing, and nearer than hands and feet.”

God is always at hand to hear our prayers. Even when we are so anxious and overwrought that we cannot express what is on our minds coherently, the Holy Spirit will take over on our behalf and make our prayers known to our Father God. (Romans 8:26)

We need however, to be in constant communication with our heavenly Father and not only when we are in trouble and don’t know which way to turn. Our Lord Jesus Christ spent much of his earthly ministry in prayer and even now in heaven, he is interceding on our behalf.

Jesus taught us that God is our Father in heaven. He is ever ready to listen and answer our prayers.

Our Lord urges us to ask that we may receive, to seek and we will find, to knock and the door will be opened for us. “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11)

Our God wants the best for us.  He is a caring Father in whom we can place our complete trust.

Our text for the day promises that if we turn to God in prayer, our anxieties will melt away and we will experience the joy of his peace.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may the Holy Spirit dispel our anxieties and grant us peace for our soul.  May we rest content in the certainty that you are working all things for good. This we ask in Jesus name.  Amen