A walkway with a lake on each side runs from the heart of Georgia Southern University to one of the quieter ends of campus. As a student, I walked this path countless times to get to class, the Lakeside Cafe, and the Henderson Library. Near the middle of the walkway, you’ll find an inscription in its pavement:
KNOW GOD. KNOW PEACE.
I first walked this path as a non-believer, and its hopeful message seemed to call out to me. During my first year at Georgia Southern, I came to know Jesus as my Lord and Savior. As a believer, I chose to walk this path over other options because my heart treasured its message. If I saw no one else on the path, I would stop just short of the inscription with eyes focused on the truth before me.
KNOW GOD. KNOW PEACE.
What I was experiencing in knowing God was a night and day difference from not knowing Him. I had experienced a fair amount of suffering in my life. I had known life without purpose. Pain without a path. All-consuming anxiousness. Debilitating despair. Depression that made death look like freedom. Knowing God—having a relationship with my Creator—taught me that all of us are purposefully-made, purpose exists even in our deepest pain, and true life comes through Jesus. He has the power to calm the storms, settle the seas, and stabilize our hearts with peace.
(Jesus speaking) ”I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” –John 14:6
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” –John 10:10
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” –John 14:27
KNOW GOD. KNOW PEACE.
Though it’s been many years since I traveled that walkway, its message is alive in my heart more than ever. Who walked the path before me and wrote those words? Did that person write what was on his or her heart? Did he or she pray for God to use those words to speak to others?
I pray God would use the words in this blog series to lead you on a path to peace. We’re going to spend some time in one of my favorite Bible books, Philippians, and contemplate Apostle Paul’s words about anxiety.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 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 4:4-7
When we feel anxious, Paul says we should pray.
I agree with Paul’s words, but let’s be honest: Praying while anxious is easier said than done! When my anxiety level reaches a certain point, I find it extremely difficult to pray. I know I need God to set my heart at peace, yet I struggle to seek God’s presence and help. What about you?
Reflection
- When a concerning thought replays over and over in your mind, and you don’t have the clarity of mind to pray coherent sentences, how do you pursue prayer?
- When anxiety holds your heart hostage, you don’t feel like fighting your way out, and you don’t feel like praying, how do you move past your emotions and into prayer?
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I’ve often wondered if Paul left out a step before prayer! I’ve developed a simple process to prepare me to pray. It consists of only three steps that can help you gain enough headspace and heart space to engage in a meaningful prayer time.
1—Pick up your Bible and read.
Just read! Instead of allowing anxious thoughts to continue circling in your head and anxious feelings to keep building, fill your mind with God’s Word. Pick up your Bible and read.
It doesn’t matter where you start reading in your Bible. Do your best to focus on what you’re reading, but it’s okay if it doesn’t make sense or you can’t remember what you just read. Keep reading! Devoting your mind and heart to God through reading His Word is a way of seeking Him. It’s a step closer to Him.
2—Think about the power of God’s Word.
After reading for a few minutes, take a brief break to think about the power of God’s Word.
God spoke the world into existence, literally! (Genesis 1)
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” –Isaiah 40:8
“And the Word became flesh {Jesus} and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” –John 1:14
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” –Hebrews 4:12
Think about how God’s powerful Word is pouring into your mind and heart. God’s Word is more powerful than your anxious thoughts and feelings.
3—Think about the powerful work of the Holy Spirit in you.
If you are in Christ, the Spirit of God lives in you. Think about the powerful work of the Holy Spirit in you. He guides you in truth, renews your mind and heart, strengthens you, and empowers you to glorify God.1
He is the Helper Jesus talked about when He said, “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:25-27).
The peace Jesus talked about—the peace you desire—is a fruit of the Holy Spirit living in you. (Galatians 5:22).
Close your eyes for a moment, and visualize God’s powerful Word filling your mind and heart and moving in harmony with the powerful Spirit in you to create peace.
Next, continue reading your Bible. At some point, God’s Word and His Spirit will settle your mind and heart enough to pray, and you’ll have a greater desire to pray. Go with this God-given desire! You don’t need eloquent words. Just pray.
“For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:26-28).2
Father God,
I praise you because You are powerful.
Your Son is powerful.
Your Spirit is powerful.
Your Word is powerful.
{Open your hands, palms up to God.}
Father, here’s my anxious mind. Please quiet it. Fill it with Your Truth.
Here’s my anxious heart. Please calm it. Fill it with Your peace.
I embrace Your instruction and promise in Ephesians 4:4-7: “The Lord is at hand; I do not {need to} be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving {I will make my} requests known to You: ___________________________.
{Thank You for caring about me and about my concerns.} And {Your} peace, which surpasses all understanding, will guard {my} heart and mind in Christ Jesus.”3
In Jesus’ Powerful Name, Amen.
In the next blog: We’ll continue to seek God’s peace by taking a deeper look at Paul’s words. Was this blog helpful to you? Is there a question about anxiety or prayer that you’d like to see on the blog? Comment below!
- NOTES:
- Verses are ESV
- 1John 16:13, Psalm 51:10-11, John 3:5, Romans 12:2, Romans 8:26-28
- 2 Emphasis added, Romans 8:26-28
- 3Paraphrase of Ephesians 4:4-7
