By Hal Green
Pondering Prayer
When Paul wrote his most positive letter, he did so while in prison, in either Rome or Ephesus, around 62 CE. Paul succinctly tells us what to focus on for the sake of our well-being and those around us. More than merely read, this passage is one we should also pray:
“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).
To pray Paul’s words, focus on these four questions: What does this passage say? What does it say to you? What do you want to say to God? What does God want to say to you?
To a surprising extent, we tend to become like whatever we spend our time focusing on. Focus on the negative and you will turn toward becoming negative. Focus on what Paul is suggesting and you will likely absorb and act out of whatever is excellent and worthy of praise. Such positivity will enhance your self-belief and willingness to do what is excellent and worthy of praise. Positivity opens the gate to potentiality. Negativity closes the gate to possibility.
We also tend to become like the persons with whom we associate. Be around positive persons who seek positive outcomes not only for themselves but also for others and you will readily become like them. Be around negative persons and over time, it will darken your soul.
To paraphrase Proverbs 23:7: “For as a person thinks in their heart, so they are.” That is, as you think about yourself, so will you act as if that self-concept were the truth. This is called the “self-fulfilling prophecy.” It states that we tend to become either what we expect ourselves to become or what others expect us to become. As you see and think of yourself, you will act as if it were your truth. This self-concept will likely become your truth — but not the truth as known to God. You have to draw near to God in faith to discover God’s truth for you, which will be good.
It is also important to focus on what you have, rather than what you do not have. A wise friend recently texted me something that she lives by: “Any day I can keep my gratitude higher than my expectations is a good day.” Start your day by focusing on what you are grateful for instead of what you seek but do not have. As Paul says, such a positive mindset will prepare you to receive the peace of God.
The more negative you are, the more difficult it will be for you to accept the perpetually offered peace of Christ. If you “Keep on doing the things” as Paul suggests, you will embrace and be embraced by that wondrous peace.
(Hal Green, Ph.D., is author of Pray This Way to Connect with God. You can contact him at drhalgreen@gmail.com.)
