Women’s Prayer Team - Week 38
Have you ever been worried or labored by something that is not actually real? The devil is in the business of causing believers to stumble, and I believe one of his primary means of attack is through our mind.
There have been seasons of my life as a Christ follower in which I have fixated and overly worried about things that are just not that deep! Sometimes for me, it is in quick interactions with people. My mind quickly goes to the worst case scenario, and I start to think, "Should I have said that?", "Was that an insulting thing to say?", "Did I upset them by doing this or saying this to them?" Dizzying thoughts and worries can come flooding in. More often than not, these anxieties are not based in reality or fact, but in falseness and insecurity in my own mind.
PRAYER TIP #38 – Get Out of Your Head
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8
I have had the privilege of facilitating our high school girls in Refuge for Life University this Fall. We have been going through a study by Jennie Allen called Get Out of Your Head. In the study, we have walked through the book of Philippians, discussed different assigned activities, and Jennie has given us a word each week about our thought life and what the Bible says about our thoughts. One particular activity has stood out to me, and I continue coming back to it. In the activity, there is a grid that has one line at a time of the scripture noted above, out of Philippians 4. In the corresponding box, there are questions that allow us to work through our nagging thoughts. Here's an excerpt from the study:
Whatever is true. - Is this thought true? Is what I'm worried about factual or imagined?
Whatever is right. - Am I meditating on God's personhood and considering Him as my standard of morality? Are my thoughts a result of this pursuit or am I trying to model my behavior by culture and as a result am anxious, weary, and confused?
Whatever is lovely or worthy of praise. - Am I consuming and pursuing things of beauty? Am I seeking out art and majesty beyond myself? Am I finding ways to take in God's creation around me?
Whatever is admirable or excellent. - Am I believing the best in others despite the judgements I've created based on their words, appearance, or behavior? Are my thoughts toward someone based on facts or created/imagined scenarios?
That last one hits hard. I believe the Lord wants us to be thinking about what we think about. I also believe that God's Word points us to a better way of thinking.
Prayer Points:
Lord, help me to have a mind that looks more and more like Yours.
Lord, give me the strength to take my thoughts captive as Your Word instructs.
Jesus, I want my thoughts to be honoring and pleasing to You.
Father God, I pray that You would help me to meditate on things that are true, honorable right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and worthy of praise.
Suggested Prayer - Pray these words in your heart or out loud:
God,
I thank You even today for saving me and for making me a new creation. I am thankful that You care so deeply about us to give us Your Word to navigate life with. God, help me to take my thoughts captive and to replace them with meditative thoughts of Your goodness. The enemy tries to whisper lies and deception, but I pray that I would resist them in Your power. Thank You, Lord for allowing us to renew our mind. Help us to remember to do this daily. You are a good, good Father. I love You, Lord.
In Jesus Name, I pray, Amen.
Peace,
Katie Gutierrez