4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Lord Jesus, we have more than ample reasons to rejoice in you today. Our lives are hidden in yours, and your life in us is our hope of glory. You are our perfect righteousness and constant Advocate, our sovereign Lord and loving Spouse.
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Because the gospel is true, we can risk being gentle in relationships—especially in those in which we might otherwise be critical and controlling. You are very “near”—both in terms of proximity and your return. Speaking of which, we’ve never longed more for your return.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
“Don’t be anxious about anything“… really? Jesus, we’re thankful that everything you command you resource with sufficient grace, so we cast our cares on you and bring our burdens to your throne of grace. With palms up, we give you the people we’d love to fix, the storylines we’d love to author, the heartaches we’d love to heal, and the circumstances we’d love to alter.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Lord, thank you for the promise of guarding our hearts and minds with your peace. By faith, we gladly enter “Fort Peace” right now.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Jesus, you are the truest, most noble, right, pure, lovely and praiseworthy reality there is, so we set our gaze, thoughts, and affection on you. By the superglue of grace, keep us in that place of peace, all day long. So very Amen we pray, in your tender and triumphant name.
