Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, ...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (Phil.4:6-8).
Wouldn't it be lovely, to quote Eliza Doolittle, if our time of prayer consisted entirely of the substance above? Even better, what if the substance of our lives consisted in referring all things to God, with thanksgiving.....in dwelling on those things that are honorable, just, lovely, gracious, excellent, and worthy of praise?
I can see how this simple practice would produce peace in our hearts and minds. If we are not concerned with what our neighbors are thinking and doing; if we are not consumed with worry about things we cannot control; if we are not striving to look good in the eyes of the world around us---we are free to rejoice, to play, to pray.
Jesus said, "Do not worry, little flock; it has pleased the Father to give you the kingdom." And Paul: "...if He has given us His very own Son, will He not give us all else besides?"
I wonder if we have the courage to believe, to live, these words.
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