God’s Promise and Scripture

God’s Promise: He will give us peace through prayer.

Scripture: do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Devotional

Life has a way of throwing challenges at us that feel completely overwhelming. For me, the last few years have been full of such moments. My dad battled cancer, our family uprooted and moved across the country, and we started two businesses from scratch. Each of these experiences could have left us anxious, exhausted, and uncertain about the future. Yet through it all, I’ve experienced a peace that doesn’t make sense - one that only comes from Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us, “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.” I’ve seen this promise come alive in my life in ways I never could have orchestrated on my own.

The truth is, every one of us faces trials - just different kinds. Some walk through sickness, others through financial strain, broken relationships, uncertainty, or loss. And naturally, we all default to different ways of coping. Some of us try to control every detail to feel safe. Others slip into fear, imagining worst-case scenarios. Still others shut down emotionally or push themselves into busyness to avoid what hurts. But none of those responses bring the peace our hearts long for.

Over time, I’ve learned that peace doesn’t come from trying harder - it comes from turning to the One who already holds everything together. One of the most powerful ways God has taught me to do this is through praying Scripture. When my mind starts to spiral with fear, I pray verses about God’s protection. When I feel pressure to control outcomes, I pray verses that remind me of His sovereignty. When anxiety starts to rise, I lean on promises of His nearness and care. Praying the Word shifts my focus from my own strength to God’s faithfulness, and His peace begins to guard my heart in a way I can’t explain.

Looking back, I realize that God’s peace isn’t about the absence of problems; it’s about His presence in the middle of them. When we bring our anxieties to Him in prayer and thanksgiving, He fills us with a peace that guards our hearts and minds. That peace is real, tangible, and life-changing - even when everything around us feels uncertain. It truly is the “peace that makes no sense,” yet it is the very gift Jesus came to bring.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. What are the “trial responses” you tend to default to (control, fear, avoidance, busyness) and what would it look like to surrender those to God in prayer?

2. Which Scriptures could you begin praying when anxiety, temptation, or stress rise up?

3.  How have you experienced God’s presence in the middle of difficulty, and how might He be inviting you to trust Him in a deeper way this Christmas season?