Answer
According to Philippians 4:7, it is not we who guard our hearts and minds, but God. Paul writes, “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7, ESV). To access this peace, believers must follow the commands of the previous verse: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).
Prayer is more than asking God to fulfill our requests. Yes, we should ask God for things (James 4:2), but we should also acknowledge His sovereignty (Matthew 6:9), seek His wisdom and guidance (Proverbs 3:5–6), and express gratitude for His wonderful blessings (1 Thessalonians 5:18). It is “with thanksgiving” that we present our requests.
As we choose not to worry but pray instead, God’s peace shields our hearts and minds. The peace of God surpasses all understanding because it is not contingent upon external circumstances. Even in the storm, we can know God’s peace, and it sets a guard over our hearts and minds. We must make a conscious choice to trust the Lord and “let the peace of God rule in [our] hearts” (Colossians 3:15).
Prayer is connected to God’s peace in that it is a way to focus our hearts and minds on the promises of God. Scripture abounds promises about God’s love (Romans 8:31–39), protection (Psalm 91:4), wisdom (James 1:5), and guidance (Psalm 119:105). Embracing these promises helps to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
As we pray, we should meditate on God’s promises and “receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save [our] souls” (James 1:21, ESV). In doing so, we can face any challenge with boldness, knowing that the peace of God is actively guarding our hearts: “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 118:6, ESV).
Prayer provides an opportunity for us to surrender our worries to God. We are to be “anxious for nothing” (Philippians 4:6) and “give all [our] worries and cares to God” (1 Peter 5:7, NLT). When we surrender our worries to God, His peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. In Christ, we can rest, knowing that He is carrying our burdens for us (Matthew 11:28).
Regular fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ is important, too. Christian fellowship allows us to pray with and for others. It is a good way to “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2, ESV).
Most importantly, prayer strengthens our relationship with Christ. When we spend time with God in prayer, we draw closer to Him, and He draws closer to us (see James 4:8). As the relationship grows, we will see the fruit: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, ESV).
Worry about nothing. Pray about everything. Give thanks for anything. And God’s promise is that His peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. That peace is otherworldly, and it is beyond our understanding. The One who “will neither slumber nor sleep” stands sentinel over His children, granting them peace (Psalm 121:4).
