Philippians 4:6–7 (KJV): meaning and how to memorise it

What Philippians 4:6–7 says

Paul tells believers to bring every need to God in prayer with thanksgiving. The peace of God then keeps their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6–7 in context

³And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. ⁴Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. ⁵Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. ⁶Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ⁷And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ⁸Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. ⁹Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. ¹⁰But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

Philippians 4, verses 3–10. Read the whole chapter with John Brown’s notes in the Self-Interpreting Bible.

Philippians 4:6–7 in the catechisms

The Reformation catechisms and confessions cite Philippians 4:6–7 8 times as a proof text.

WSC 98
What is prayer?
WLC 104
What are the duties required in the first commandment?
WLC 108
What are the duties required in the second commandment?
WLC 178
What is prayer?
WLC 185
How are we to pray?
WLC 193
What do we pray for in the fourth petition?
WLC 196
What doth the conclusion of the Lord's prayer teach us?
WCF 21.3
Prayer with thanksgiving, being one special part of religious worship, is by God required of all men; and that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son, by…

How to memorise Philippians 4:6–7

Hearers breaks the verse into clauses and teaches each clause in four steps. Then it brings each clause back just before you forget it.

01
Read
Read the verse with the clauses marked. Listen to it read aloud.
02
Trace
Type the first letter of each word, with the words shown faintly.
03
Fade
Half of the words go. Type the text again, and fill the gaps from memory.
04
Recall
All the words go. Type it or say it aloud. Each clause gets its own grade and its own review date.