What kinds of things do you give your attention to?
Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy — dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8
Holy God,
Yesterday we prayed about anxiety,
and we could have included this verse in that prayer.
Yet another way to combat anxiety
is to focus our mind on things
that renew them in gospel realities.
Help us, we pray,
to turn our minds and ears and eyes away
from negative Nellies and sour Sallies,
from rude Rickies and blabbering Bobbies.
Instead, may we meditate on things
that are true
and will lead us to speak the truth in love,
things that are honorable
and will lead us to honor the dignity of your creation,
things that are just
and will lead us to act justly in every arena of our lives,
things that are pure and will lead us to live and love purely,
things that are lovely
and will lead us to speak in lovely ways,
things that are commendable
and will lead us to act in a way that reflects your praiseworthy name.
In short, may we think, speak, live and love in a way
that is the gracious outworking
of your transforming love in our lives.
As we do so,
may we know the peace
you have promised will envelop us.
In Jesus’ peace-giving name. Amen.
Read Philippians 4.
