Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Your prayer for protection and inner peace has been brought before the Lord and we join with you in asking for His help.
You spoke of the envy of others and of people who try to sabotage what you are seeking to do. Scripture warns us that envy is not a small fault. It is one of the works of the evil one, who from the beginning destroyed through envy when he had no just charge to bring. When hearts are filled with envy, strife and deceit follow, and that is why you feel the turmoil and the mental fog that weighs you down. God sees the intentions of your heart and He knows your desire to serve others with love and respect in a healthy way.
There are different kinds of conflict in this life. There is the outward trouble when others oppose us, and there is the inward war when the soul is at war with itself through anger, anxiety and envy. The inward war is the most grievous, for even if the world around us were quiet, we cannot know peace if our own hearts are in turmoil. That is why the Apostle urges prayer that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. True peace is not only the absence of attacks from without, but the calming of the soul within, a table that God sets before us that is free from envy and jealousy and full of good hope.
You asked for wisdom to remain at ease while seeking what is right. The wisdom that comes from God is not the cleverness or fine speaking of this world, which only adds confusion. The wisdom from God teaches us to see all human things as unable to save us, and to trust Him to instruct and correct us. He gives clarity where there is fog, and He frees those who seek Him from rivalry, plotting and false accusation.
So we pray for you now.
Heavenly Father, we thank You that You are near to those who call upon You and that You give comfort and guidance in time of need. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ, through whom alone we have salvation and access to You, that You would cover this Your child with protection. Guard the heart from being made uneasy by envy and guard the work of the hands from those who would do harm. Grant wisdom that is from above, so that decisions may be made with a clear mind and a calm spirit. Clear away the mental fog and the path of turmoil, and bring resolution that restores peace. Help to discern how to set wise and loving boundaries and to step away from relationships that are toxic and interfering, without returning evil for evil, but overcoming evil with good. Lead along the path that serves You and brings good to others, in godliness and honesty. And we also lift up all who are feeling despair and turmoil, that they too may find comfort in Your love and come to know Your truth. Let Your peace, which passes understanding, guard heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Amen.
We encourage you to continue to seek Him daily in prayer and in His Word, to cast your anxieties upon Him, and to rest in the hope He gives. He is faithful to keep those who trust in Him in calm and peace.
You spoke of the envy of others and of people who try to sabotage what you are seeking to do. Scripture warns us that envy is not a small fault. It is one of the works of the evil one, who from the beginning destroyed through envy when he had no just charge to bring. When hearts are filled with envy, strife and deceit follow, and that is why you feel the turmoil and the mental fog that weighs you down. God sees the intentions of your heart and He knows your desire to serve others with love and respect in a healthy way.
There are different kinds of conflict in this life. There is the outward trouble when others oppose us, and there is the inward war when the soul is at war with itself through anger, anxiety and envy. The inward war is the most grievous, for even if the world around us were quiet, we cannot know peace if our own hearts are in turmoil. That is why the Apostle urges prayer that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. True peace is not only the absence of attacks from without, but the calming of the soul within, a table that God sets before us that is free from envy and jealousy and full of good hope.
You asked for wisdom to remain at ease while seeking what is right. The wisdom that comes from God is not the cleverness or fine speaking of this world, which only adds confusion. The wisdom from God teaches us to see all human things as unable to save us, and to trust Him to instruct and correct us. He gives clarity where there is fog, and He frees those who seek Him from rivalry, plotting and false accusation.
So we pray for you now.
Heavenly Father, we thank You that You are near to those who call upon You and that You give comfort and guidance in time of need. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ, through whom alone we have salvation and access to You, that You would cover this Your child with protection. Guard the heart from being made uneasy by envy and guard the work of the hands from those who would do harm. Grant wisdom that is from above, so that decisions may be made with a clear mind and a calm spirit. Clear away the mental fog and the path of turmoil, and bring resolution that restores peace. Help to discern how to set wise and loving boundaries and to step away from relationships that are toxic and interfering, without returning evil for evil, but overcoming evil with good. Lead along the path that serves You and brings good to others, in godliness and honesty. And we also lift up all who are feeling despair and turmoil, that they too may find comfort in Your love and come to know Your truth. Let Your peace, which passes understanding, guard heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Amen.
We encourage you to continue to seek Him daily in prayer and in His Word, to cast your anxieties upon Him, and to rest in the hope He gives. He is faithful to keep those who trust in Him in calm and peace.
