Wholly Holy: God and Us – Carla Harding
This post was first published by Lectio 365 on 19th June 2025
Pause
As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly, to re-centre my scattered senses upon the presence of God.
Pause and pray
Prayer of Approach
Lord, I approach you with a prayer attributed to St Francis of Assisi:
…make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.*
Rejoice and reflect
I choose to rejoice in God’s presence today, joining with the ancient praise of all God’s people in the words of Psalm 27…
Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. The one thing I ask of the LORD — the thing I seek most — is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.
Psalm 27:3–4 (NLT)
Pause and pray
Today I am reflecting on a piece of practical advice that Paul gave to his persecuted friends in Philippi…
The Lord is near. 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.
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.
Philippians 4:5b–9 (NIVUK)
Paul was no stranger to challenge and danger. During his missionary adventures he was attacked and imprisoned, shipwrecked and bitten by a snake, opposed by Christians and non-Christians alike. So when Paul talks about countering anxiety, he’s not offering empty platitudes, he’s sharing his tried and tested response to the difficulties he faced. So what does Paul prescribe to help his persecuted friends find peace? Grateful prayer and a focused mind.
Ask
What am I anxious about?
Father, I choose to take Paul’s advice and make my obstacles into your opportunity. Throughout this day, when worry invades, remind me to give thanks for something specific, before asking you to intervene.
Pause and pray
John Milton once wrote that, “The mind is its own place and in itself, can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.”** What has filled my mind and held my attention this week?
Holy Spirit, I invite you into my mind: “test me and know my anxious thoughts” (Psalm 139:23). Give me the self-awareness to realise when I’m dwelling on hellish and destructive thought patterns and help me to focus my mind on your heavenly goodness.
Pause and pray
Yield
As I return to the passage, I look out for a particular word or phrase that the Holy Spirit seems to be highlighting to me today.
The Lord is near. 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.
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.
Philippians 4:4–9 (NIVUK)
I take a moment to reflect on any word or phrase that the Holy Spirit is highlighting for me.
Pause
I notice the powerful truth that “the Lord is near”. When my bank balance hits zero – the Lord is near. When a cancer patient receives chemo – the Lord is near. When exhausted parents practice patience – the Lord is near. When the world seems overwhelming – the Lord is near. Whatever I may face today, I can stand on this truth – the Lord is near.
Pause and pray
Yielding Prayer
I yield to you today by making Paul’s statement of faith my prayer. I take a moment, breathe deeply and repeat these words: “The Lord is near.”
Yielding Promise
And now, as I prepare to take this time of prayer into the coming day, the Lord who loves me says in the Psalms:
When you call on me, I will answer; I will be with you in trouble. I will rescue and honour you.
Personalised from Psalm 91:15 (NLT)
Closing Prayer
Father, help me to live this day to the full, being true to you in every way. Jesus, help me to give myself away to others, being kind to everyone I meet. Spirit, help me to love the lost, proclaiming Christ in all I do and say.
Amen.
Carla Harding is International Director of Products for 24-7 Prayer.
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