”Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6New International Version (NIV)
Philippians 4:6 Devotional
Do not be anxious
I n Philippians 4:6, apostle Paul advises you and me “to not be anxious about anything”. Instead, he advises, that we present or make known our requests to God by prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and petition (supplication) with thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Paul said this because many are in the habit of not making known their issues or concerns to God. Maybe because they think they can solve their issues, or maybe because they do not think or know that God can bear their burdens.
Therefore, prayer gives us the means to leave our burdens with God. And our God who is God of all creation wants us to lean on Him for help.
Prayer also helps us learn to rely on and trust in God. When we pray, we build faith and practice knowing that God is willing and able to help us. And prayer reveals the glory and authority of God when He answers.
Petition
Therefore, the prayer of petition refers to the earnest sharing of a specific need with God. This kind of prayer is about a specific request.
In other words, it is a specific request made in prayer. Or simply, a specific prayer request.
Anxiety
Anxiety constitutes worrying over things you have no control over. They, therefore, occupy your mind. And then these things take dominion and control of your passive mind and consequently trouble your heart. This is what gives rise to doubt, fear, and dread.
However, anxiety can (and will/must) be replaced by God’s peace that comes after you present your specific anxieties or origins of the same to Him (Philippians 4:7). God actually promises that if we turn to Him in difficult times, He will give us a peace beyond belief, beyond understanding. This supernatural peace will guard our hearts and minds during times of trouble.
Prayer/Blessing
May every situation causing anxiety in your life become a prayer/petition point, so that you may experience God’s peace in your heart and life. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
Job 5-8 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
Check out: Prayer for Peace
