Guarding the Heart

There is a prayer promise in the Scriptures, however, that does not have a condition upon it. It guarantees us an answer to every prayer, and it is found in Philippians 4:6-7. Paul writes, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (v. 6). In other words, don’t sweat it. Whatever is troubling you, giving you an anxiety attack, or weighing heavily on your heart, that is what you are to pray about. Whatever it is—ask! Make the request known to God. Now the promise: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (v.7).

What does this mean? The word guard was a military term that described a Roman soldier holding his weapon, walking back and forth in front of an open gate so that no one could enter. Paul is saying that this is how God will guard your hearts and give you His peace. Our Father is a Father who delights to give good gifts to His children. He will actively guard your heart against whatever is troubling it. He will not allow any menacing worry to enter.

This verse commands us to ask for anything and guarantees an answer. First, we may get what we ask for, because He delights in giving us gifts, but no matter what the outcome, He definitely promises to give us His peace. This means that if we don’t get what we asked for, we’ve got something better—satisfaction. Our hearts will be satisfied with or without our initial request, regardless of what was troubling us to begin with.

The Priority of Knowing God, Peter V. Deison, 1990 Discovery House, p. 56