My Friend Chooses a 2024 Focus Word
Notre Dame Cathedral Strasbourg, France
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
Psalms 143:10 NIV
You can be certain that anybody who has written a bi-weekly blog post for over seven years spends a fair amount of time thinking about appropriate and applicable next-time-posts.
That was me last week. Then, I read a Facebook friend’s comment to my January 4th post in which I spoke of the word, prayer, and Scripture I believe will guide me through 2024. Brianna McCarthy’s post resonated deeply, and when I asked her permission to share with you today, she graciously said, “Of course.”
I met Brianna several years ago when she was in the early stages of her journey as a Christ follower. I liked her immediately. God has blessed her with a razor-sharp intellect, quick wit, prestigious education, supportive family, and opportunities to travel worldwide. God has also trusted my friend with some very difficult challenges, which she navigates with grit and grace.
Concerning the word she believes God gave her for 2024, Brianna wrote:
GUARD
Brianna commented further: “I need help stopping the false narrative that continually replays in my head.
Guarding my heart involves seeking God’s guidance through prayer, meditating on His Word, and surrounding myself with positive influences that foster spiritual growth and maturity. It is an ongoing process of choosing to align my heart and mind with God’s will and purpose, allowing His truth and love to transform me from the inside out.”
The Scripture Brianna chose is one of my all-time favorites.*
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)
Brianna’s Prayer, (paraphrased slightly by me):
Dear Lord,
I want to better reflect God’s character and live a life that brings You glory while positively impacting those around me. Please guide and guard me in this ongoing process. Show me how to better align my heart and mind with God’s will and purpose.
Amen
* Based on Philippians 4:6-7, I’m including the contents of a handout I put together, which may help you incorporate this passage into your time of meditation. If you would like a copy of this to download, please contact me by email at sue.reeve.cda@gmail.com.
Scripture and Prayer
A Helpful Prayer Model
All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal. (Psalm 119:160 NIV)
… faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17 NKJV)
Scripture is a good tool to help guide prayers—especially when we don’t know how to pray.
Cross references:
When life is difficult, it’s easy to wonder if there is any way to escape the pain and deal with problems. In his letter to his friends in Philippi, the Apostle Paul, writing from prison, shows how to have peace and joy despite circumstances. This passage provides an excellent prayer format. Paul guides the reader in how to make requests to God and reminds us to always look for ways to be thankful. (Research shows there are physical and emotional benefits of focusing on gratitude. God’s Word is good medicine!)
Paul told his friends,
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6 & 7 NIV)
My Prayer: Dear Lord, you know I am anxious. I need the kind of peace that can only come from you. Please help me deal with my anxious thoughts. Right now—in faith—I petition you with these requests:
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Your Word tells me to bring my requests with thanksgiving. Thank you for:
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Now, I thank you also for the promise of peace that transcends understanding and will guard my heart and mind. Amen
Blessings on your meditations this Monday!
