Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
Baby-gender reveals in 2019 were dramatic. In July, a video showed a car emitting blue smoke to indicate, “It’s a boy!” In September, a crop-duster plane in Texas dumped hundreds of gallons of pink water to announce, “It’s a girl!” There was another “reveal,” though, that uncovered significant things about the world these children will grow up in. At the conclusion of 2019, YouVersion revealed that the most shared, highlighted, and bookmarked verse of the year on its online and mobile Bible app was Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
That’s quite the revelation. People are anxious about many things these days—from the needs of our sons and daughters, to the myriad ways family and friends are divided, to natural catastrophes and wars. But in the middle of all these worries, the good news is that many people cling to a verse that says, “Do not be anxious about anything.” Furthermore, those same people encourage others as well as themselves to present every request to God “in every situation.” The mindset that doesn’t ignore but faces life’s anxieties is one of “thanksgiving.”
The verse that didn’t make “verse of the year” but follows it is—“And the peace of God . . . will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (v. 7). That’s quite the reassurance!
Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity
4 1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for,j
my joy and crown, stand firmk in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mindl in the Lord.
3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended
at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers,m
whose names are in the book of life.n
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!o
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.p
6 Do not be anxious about anything,q but in every situation,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.r
7 And the peace of God,s which transcends all understanding,t
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
INSIGHT
- What are two or three situations you’re worried about?
- How might reflecting on the ways God’s peace has carried you in the past be helpful?
As Paul begins to bring his letter to a close, he emphasizes two important thoughts that underlie all he’s written to the Philippians. First, he’s repeatedly lifted up their shared partnership and mission (1:1–7, 27–30). Second, over and over he’s also urged them to embrace the attitudes of humility, joy, and love that reflect the spirit of Jesus and make their shared calling credible and good for others (vv. 9–11; 2:1–11). These two basics—mission and attitude—show up in the first few sentences of his introduction. In referring to his readers as “holy,” he used a word that reminded them that they’ve been “set apart” to represent Christ to their world (1:1–5). In praying that their love would continue to grow “in knowledge and depth of insight” (vv. 9–11), he signaled how important it was for them to help and care for one another.
PRAYER
Jesus, some days and weeks and years feel overwhelming. Thank You for Your peace, which guards me yesterday, today, and forever. In Your name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: Philippians 4:1-7 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 11-13; Mark 12:1-27
