Paul wrote these words to his friends in Philippi. He was far away, sitting in a prison. He knew what it felt like to be worried.
So he told them something simple. Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, pray. In every situation, tell God what you need. Say thank you too.
A petition is just a request. It is like when you ask your mother for something. God wants you to ask Him, for the test, for your sick cat, for a lonely lunchtime.
Then Paul says something wonderful. God's peace will guard your heart. That peace is bigger than we can understand. It is like a quiet guard standing at the door of your heart.
God does not promise you will get everything you ask for. He promises His peace. And you can talk to Him anywhere. At bedtime. At lunch. Right in the middle of feeling sad.
🙏Talking to God
God Hears You at the End of the Bench
You can talk to God anywhere, even with your mouth full of rice.
October 14, 20262 min readNIV
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.
— Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Paul's letter to the Philippians
Today's Story
✍️Fictitious Story
At lunch, Dinesh sat at the end of the bench again. Emma Yeo sat beside him, drawing in her notebook. Today, though, he barely ate. A spelling test waited after lunch, and his stomach felt tight and small.
He did not want to tell anyone. Then he remembered what his grandmother always said. You can talk to God anywhere. Even on a bench. Even with your mouth full of rice.
So Dinesh closed his eyes for one second. "God," he whispered, "I'm scared about the test." That was all. He opened his eyes and picked up his spoon. Emma had not heard a thing. The tight feeling was still there a little, but he was not holding it by himself anymore.
Reflection
Think About It
• What is one thing you could tell God about today? • Where is a place you can talk to God quietly, even when other people are around?
Prayer
God, I don't always know what to say. Sometimes I'm scared and I can't say it out loud. So here it is: today was hard. Thank You for listening. Please guard my heart, like Paul said. I believe You are near me, right now. Amen.
Live It Out
Tell God one thing from today in your own words before you sleep.