Gleanings for May 4

National Prayer

Philippians 4: 4 – 7 NKJV: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.

Be anxious for nothing 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 minds through Christ Jesus.”

Each year in the USA there is a day set aside as “National Day of Prayer”—I’m not certain whether other countries observe the day or not but Praise the Lord we do here in America. The scripture we began with today, gives us this exhortation: “REJOICE!” To rejoice is a fitting way to enter God’s Presence when we pray.

Paul, as you probably know, wrote this letter while he was in prison. That fact did not keep him from rejoicing; throughout this letter he commands the people to “REJOICE” no matter what the circumstance may be.

True joy is possible because when we are “in the Lord” we can trust Him to supply our needs. The Message Bible translation says this: “Celebrate God all day, everyday. I mean revel in Him.”

Instead of “being anxious” we are told to “Pray with thanksgiving”. This is how The New Living Bible translates verses 6 & 7: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and don’t forget to thank Him for all He has done.

If you do this you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Have you thought about the truth that “Prayer” and “Peace” are closely connected? Instead of being anxious, as we give our cares to the Lord, the desired peace we are looking for will be ours.

Proverbs 16: 3 Amplified Translation: “Roll your works upon the Lord, commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will and so shall your plans be established and succeed.”

Someone has given this picture to illustrate that verse: “The picture is of a camel, burdened with a heavy load; when the load is to be removed, the camel kneels down, tilts far to one side, and the load rolls off.” We can see that if the camel remains standing it would be difficult to remove the load. We should go to God HUMBLY.

We also must: “consciously” commit all our plans to the Lord. Do not “presume” His help will be there if it is uninvited. That is where “prayer” is the key. “We have not because we ask not.” Remember the words: “Rejoice”; “Pray” be “Thankful”; and “make your “Requests”. As you activate those words of exhortation, the “Peace of God will pass all understanding.” You will also know:

THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH!!