The mind of God does not change for God does not change. Things change, and they change according to His sovereign will, which He exercises through secondary means and secondary activities. The prayer of His people is one of the means He uses to bring things to pass in this world.[1]
For Oranizartions Enduring Hardships:
We need to be mindful to always pray for our brothers and sisters in need. This week we want to offer our support and prayer for our [insert organization or company here]. They have endured certain hardships and setbacks and we want to offer this prayer up to God for blessings and assurances upon those individuals that serve that community; especially: [insert names here].
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost be with [insert name] Amen.
In particular, we implore thy grace and protection on the [insert name]. Keep them temperate in all things, and diligent in their several callings. Grant them patience under their afflictions. Give them grace to be just and upright in all their dealings; quiet and peaceable; full of compassion; and ready to do good to all men/women, according to their abilities and opportunities. Direct them in all their ways. Defend them from all dangers and adversities; and be graciously pleased to take them, and all who are dear to them, under thy fatherly care and protection. These things, and whatever else thou shalt see to be necessary and convenient to them, we humbly beg, through the merits and mediation of thy Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Savior. Amen.[2]
Weekly Scripture
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6 ESV).
Commentary:
“What is worry? The Greek word translated “anxious” (careful) in Philippians 4:6 means “to be pulled in different directions.” Our hopes pull us in one direction; our fears pull us in the opposite direction, and we are pulled apart! The Old English root from which we get our word “worry” means “to strangle.” If you have ever really worried, you know how it does strangle a person! In fact, worry has definite physical consequences: headaches, neck pains, ulcers, even back pains. Worry affects our thinking, our digestion, and even our coordination.
From the spiritual point of view, worry is wrong thinking (the mind) and wrong feeling (the heart) about circumstances, people, and things. Worry is the greatest thief of joy. It is not enough for us, however, to tell ourselves to “quit worrying” because that will never capture the thief. Worry is an “inside job,” and it takes more than good intentions to get the victory. The antidote to worry is the secure mind: “And the peace of God … shall keep [garrison, guard like a soldier] your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7). When you have a secure mind, the peace of God guards you (Phil. 4:7) and the God of peace guides you (Phil. 4:9). With that kind of protection—why worry?
If we are to conquer worry and experience a secure mind, we must meet the conditions that God has laid down. There are three: right praying (Phil. 4:6–7), right-thinking (Phil. 4:8), and right living (Phil. 4:9).”[3]
Footnotes:
[1] R. C. Sproul, Does Prayer Change Things?, vol. 3, The Crucial Questions Series (Lake Mary, FL: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2009), 15.
[2] The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church (New York: The Seabury Press, 1976), 588–589.
[3] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 94.
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