"Do Not Be Anxious..." But, How???Sample

Take Your Cares To God

Today, we will focus on the second part of Philippians 4:6, which says: But in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God

Instead of giving into anxiety and working ourselves into a frenzy, Scripture presents us with a wonderful, freeing alternative that starts with the pivoting word, “but.” Instead of panicking, we are instructed to pray. The freeing privilege of prayer stands in contrast to the trap of anxiety.

Paul instructs the Philippians to present their requests to God. What a privilege we have to take our needs before our Heavenly Father.

When do we do that? The verse reminds us that we get to pour out our hearts in prayer “in every situation.” Nothing is too small or inconsequential for God’s tender attention. Nothing is too big or impossible for God’s powerful intervention.

How do we do that? The verse tells us that it’s by prayer and petition. We go to God in utter and humble dependence, realizing that apart from Him, we can do absolutely nothing. The word "petition" implies desperate neediness. We ask, seek, and knock because we firmly believe that only Jesus can answer.

There is a beautiful divine exchange in presenting our requests before Him through prayer and supplication: we trade our anxiety for His peace. A peace that defies human understanding. A peace that doesn’t add up by the world’s balance sheets. A peace that envelops our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.

God knows every detail and nuance of our situation, and yet He urges us to come to Him because in communion with Him, He has the opportunity to flood our anxious hearts with His incomparable, incomprehensible peace.

Reflect

When I pray, do I truly believe that God is listening and will answer according to His will? Very simply put, God’s solution to anxiety seems to be this: Stop worrying and start praying. How can I put that into action this week?

Respond

Heavenly Father, What a privilege it is to carry everything to You in prayer. As the old hymn goes, we often forfeit peace because we don’t carry everything to You in prayer. Father, help me to let go of my need to control situations and outcomes. Father, forgive me for acting like prayer is a last resort to which I must resign. Help me to see it as a beautiful opportunity to let go and experience the peace that You give me. In Jesus’ name. Amen