Lent Day 22 Peace Passes All Understanding

Reading

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

(Phillipians 4.6-4.7)

Reflection

We all feel anxious at times and these verses tell us to try something which we find difficult and that is to ask for help from God through prayer. The objective of petitioning in prayer is to help you feel more at peace. This is done by putting your faith in God and that is difficult a bit like someone of the older generation putting their faith in a self-driving car. The proposal is a bit like a catch-22, if we can put our faith in God we will receive the peace that is promised but our natures will fight against us giving up control.

Spiritual Exercise

Your to-do for today: Take a seat in your favourite chair and close your eyes for 3 minutes and breathe deeply and slowly. Relax your shoulders and try to reduce the tension in your back. This relaxation will help you to think of Paul’s exhortation to petition God in prayer and perhaps give you a sense of peace.