Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry 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
I love these words from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. I’ve always loved this passage. But what do we do with it when there feels as if there is not much to rejoice about? How can this scripture speak to us when it seems like any expression of gentleness in our culture these days is immediately run over by a mack truck? Do I feel the Lord is near? Don’t tell me not to worry. There is a lot to worry about. And forget peace. All I want right now is just a little bit of feeling normal again.
And yet, these words have sustained generations of Christians who have gone through equally difficult times. Maybe rather than believing them wholeheartedly right now, they need to be read repeatedly, like a mantra. Maybe praying these words over and over again will bring them into being, so we will see gentleness, we will see the presence of God, we will experience that peace that passes all understanding, and we will rejoice.
There is a reason why we say the same prayers over and over again. There is comfort in knowing that the words of scripture and the prayers written in our prayerbook have sustained and nurtured the faith of the generations who came before us. The prayers connect us with Anglicans around the world, and these verses of scripture are used as a final blessing at the conclusion of worship by priests and bishops everywhere.
We are connected to one another through prayer. We might not be able to be close to one another in worship right now, but we are still connected. May these words bring you comfort this week, and give you hope for peace.
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9