A minute ago, I was sitting here trying to think of a blog topic.  In my mind I said "God, what am I supposed to write about today?  What would you inspire me with?" then as I scrolled through Facebook this verse appeared:

Philippians 4:6 is my all-time favorite.  Why?  Because it's actionable.  It's something I can do RIGHT NOW to commune with my God. When you regularly practice verse six you'll find that verse seven begins to take root in your life.  

This morning alone, I've prayed over my friends for many things - unspoken requests, health issues, anxiety over upcoming situations, pregnancies, losses, God winks, blessings fulfilled, and restorations in progress.  Sweet reader, I want to take a moment to pray over you.  Where you are, in this very moment:

Lord,

Thank you for another day I can use to do work for your glory.  Thank you for the time and technology.  Thank you for the individual reading these words today.  I may not know their story or struggle, but you do.  I pray that in this moment, they see and feel the peace you promise in verse seven.  I am asking you God, boldly, without fear, because of Jesus, to intervene on their behalf in this situation.  Our moments on earth seem so unsure, our steps unsteady.  Please meet these fears and concerns with abundant peace and confidence in you.  Pull back the veil and allow us, even if only for a moment, to see that you are sovereign and working.  Even through all of this chaos.  

It is in Jesus' name I pray these things, 

Amen.

Philippians 1-4

I just kept reading.  I originally had planned on only reading 1-3 (I had forgotten there were only 4 chapters in Philippians) but just kept going until next thing I know I was looking at Colossians!  It's funny how sometimes you just need to immerse yourself in the word.  I have so many things on my mind right now and I pray all the time about them. When I begin to doubt God or myself, I pray to be filled with the Spirit and banish the devil in the name of the Savior.

As I mentioned yesterday, I have been struggling for a while with myself.  Thankfully, Paul help to re-paint the lines on the road for me. I needed a reminder of what we are called to be as Christians; we will stumble and we won't always succeed, but we're never too broken that God can't use us!

So you may have noticed my favorite verse floating around:

Philippians 4:6 (ESV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

So why is that my favorite verse? God wants us to know that we should not be filled with fear or worry. Instead we should seek him prayerfully in all the details and circumstances of life ("in everything"). Coming to God humbly ("supplication") with praise and gratitude for what he has already done ("thanksgiving") to ask for what we need ("requests"). 

During this "in between" time when nothing much really seemed to be happening, I spent a lot of time living on Philippians 4:6.  I often asked God if he would give me a glimpse of His plan for us. Hubby spent hours applying for jobs trying to bridge our income gap and he was frustrated at getting nowhere.  I always tried to reassure him - there is a reason, there's a reason you are still there.  We have to trust that there is a reason, and it's part of the plan.... when the time comes for the next phase of the plan, the opportunities will be clear.  At least, that was my prayer - God, don't let me miss the opportunity.  Don't let me get so bogged down in the mud and exhaustion that I miss it completely!  Sometimes, it really wasn't him I was trying to encourage.  >>Guilty<<