Rejoicing

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

- Philippians 4:4-7

Paul calls disciples to a life of constant rejoicing, even in the face of hardships, suffering, and adversity. What Jesus has done, he has done, and it can never be taken away. Disciples shall display graciousness to all outside the church as a winsome witness to Jesus. Because Jesus will return for us, we do not need to be anxious and can therefore ask him through prayer for any and everything that is within his will for us. And he reminds us to approach our prayer life with an attitude of thankfulness.

Verse 7 forms the Book of Common Prayer blessing in the Rite I Holy Eucharist service, reminding us where our hearts and minds are anchored:

The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen

Prayer

Most loving Father, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you who care for us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.