The right response is to pray about everything. Perhaps you feel like you’re in an uphill battle. Are you distraught, downtrodden, sick, bankrupt, or confused? Oftentimes, life can be utterly brutal. And yet, in the same life, we can also experience the downhill thrill of blessings. Being in love, landing the perfect job, receiving gifts, learning new skills, having children, going on vacation, hearing, tasting, and so on.
In all our ups and downs, the Apostle Paul encourages us to assume the position of prayer.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
Let me specifically highlight three things from these verses:
Tell God What You Need
Seems like we are good at this. “I need help with my marriage, parenting, job, money, answers, healing, a place to live, favor, etc.” I like to start my prayers with, “God, I need you!” I want to pray like John the Baptist in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Indeed, God can handle anything we bring to Him. Not only that, but I think it’s good to get things off our minds, even if our thoughts are emotionally charged or in a place of despair. Romans 8:26b says, “even when we don’t know what to pray God intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words.” Yet, in all of our asking and ranting, I think God wants humility. It says in Isaiah 66:2b, “But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.”
Thank God For All He Has Done
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I’m pretty sure when Paul wrote “in all circumstances,” he meant “in all circumstances.” A prayer before you eat is just as significant as a prayer of thanks in a devastating loss. At the same time, a prayer of praise for His goodness in every situation is also just as significant. Thank God for ALL He has done, yes, even (fill in the blank).
His Peace Will Guard Your Hearts And Minds
Isn’t that the end goal, above all other goals? To have God’s peace? It always exceeds anything we can understand. God undeniably brings peace to the warring of our souls. Along with that, He brings peace in our praise. The Lord forever brings peace to guard our hearts and minds here on earth. He also brings eternal peace when we rest in Him.
Pray about everything, and pray for me as I pray for you!
Posted in A Word from the Pastor