I can always tell when I am spending more time with God, and I’m sure the people around me can also tell. What I mean by that is I can feel myself being less irritable, less stubborn, and more loving towards others. What I didn’t want to make time for yesterday, I make plans for today. Who I didn’t want to talk to yesterday, I spoke to today. What I was fearful of yesterday, I meet with courage today. When my prayer is met with practice, I see the most positive change in myself.
Philippians 4:8-9 says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Prayer is an incredible tool to help ease our hearts and anxious minds. Prayer is us showing we need to go to God for strength.
Practice takes prayer a step further. Practice is us knowing we need to change our patterns to change our hearts.
Practice can look different for every one of us. For some, it can be going to a therapist or counselor. For instance, prayer is wonderful if you're battling an addiction, but you need to meet with a professional to help you practice your sobriety. Some readers may struggle with jealousy and, because of that, say offensive things about the person they're jealous of. Instead, practice talking kindly about them. Others may have a hard time with gossip, finding your worth in knowing things others don’t. Rather, tell what you heard to your dog and let it never leave your lips again. It may be very difficult at first, but over time you will feel your heart start to shift because you are changing your patterns.
All of us can fall into a destructive pattern or habit. For example, say you stay up too late, then oversleep, which makes you late to work, so you’re rushing out of the house, chugging caffeine to help you through the day, and then crashing when you come home. That is a pattern that can change with practice. Turn off the TV, phone, iPad, and light at an earlier time. Get a book to read before bed and reduce caffeine intake after 12 PM. All of those little and simple decisions matter because they lead to the bigger outcome.
Our verse explains that we need to focus on what is good and then put it into practice. Knowing what is good, preaching what is good, and even teaching what is good is not enough. God calls us to practice what is good, pure, lovely, noble, right, and admirable. Since he calls us to do those things in a fallen world, he promises to be with us as we break harmful habits, struggle with sin, and practice our prayers. Practicing against our flesh may not feel natural at first, but with God and the tools he has created, you can become the person he has called you to be. I challenge you today to meet your prayer with your practice.