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Oxnadalur Valley, Iceland. Photo by Charles F. Stanley.
Daily Devotion

When Anxiety Strikes

If you are troubled by anxious thoughts, ask God for what you need and give thanks for all you have.

November 8, 2025

Philippians 4:4-7

If you needed help understanding something, would you hire just anyone? Of course not. You’d want to be sure the person teaching you had experience and was qualified. That’s why the apostle Paul is an excellent person to help us understand the value of contentment. After all, he wrote on the subject while under confinement by Roman authorities.

In today’s passage, Paul says that prayer safeguards the believer’s heart from anxiety, and there is no greater prayer than the one Jesus Himself taught us. The Lord’s Prayer underscores adoration of the Father and de-emphasizes focusing on oneself (Matt. 6:9-13). Concentrating on God’s greatness puts our needs in perspective and encourages us to rest in His strength.

Also consider Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane (Matt. 26:36-46). Even as He was crying out for relief, Jesus nevertheless submitted to the Father’s will (v. 39). As a result, a supernatural peace fortified the Savior and enabled Him to face His executioners.

In today’s reading, Paul offered a radical peace plan: Praise the Lord while suffering persecution; thank Him when facing trials; pray about everything. Each prayer braces your heart against anxiety. That’s solid advice from a man who practiced what he preached.

Bible in One Year: John 20-21

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