Do Not Worry

Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read Philippians 4:6-7 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).

‘Do not worry about anything…’ Philippians 4:6

To those who know me I may not come across as such, but I’m a terrible worrier. As I am writing this in January, the road outside is thick sheet of ice, and I’m worried about going out in case I fall or have an accident in the car. I’m worrying about downsizing to a three-bedroom house in April when I’ve lived in big clergy houses for over 20 years. Over Christmas I’ve been worrying about what I could say in this reflection and while I was Mothers’ Union President I was always worrying that I might let the members down in some way. When the surgeon rang me from the hospital to tell me that my husband Mark’s operation was over and had been successful, I was beside myself with worry as I thought there was going to be a BUT….

Why do I do it? I know this beautiful, reassuring passage well. I think I’m quite good at making my requests known to God in prayer, but I’m not so good at leaving them with him. However, I resolve to try harder to do this during Lent and I hope to receive more of his peace.

I’m sure that many of you reading this reflection will have many more serious problems to worry about than I do. Please be assured that you can have “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (v.7). This is not just an absence of hostility, but wholeness, well-being, and every kind of blessing. The peace of God helps us to know that the Lord is near (v.5).

When I was a home group leader, we kept a record of the things we had prayed for during the prayer time each week. Every few weeks we would encourage each other by looking back over previous weeks and seeing just how many of our prayers had been answered and how many of our worries had been unfounded. This would lead us to thanksgiving. Maybe this is something that you could do.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, help me to make my requests known to you and to leave my worries with you. Please give me your peace, which surpasses understanding and help me know that you are near. Amen.

Gill Ireland, Lay-member of Blackburn Cathedral.