“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;” (Philippians 4:6)
EVERYTHING?
We might read that scripture and come to the conclusion that we ought to pray about everything.
“Honey, I’m going to the grocery store to buy some more eggs.”
“Ok. Have you prayed about it?”
Is that what “in everything by prayer and supplication” means? Should I pray before I wash the dishes? I don’t know anyone who does that, do you? So, should we pray about everything? Yes.
A PRAYER LIFE OR A LIFE OF PRAYER?
I used to worry about my “prayer life.” Unfortunately, I try to compartmentalize my walk with God sometimes. You know, I have my family life, leisure life, work life, church life, and my prayer life.
“Pray without ceasing;” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
That scripture used to baffle me because it didn’t seem practical. I thought, “How can I pray all the time?”
The Passion Translation puts it like this,
“Make your life a prayer.”
A CONTINUAL CONVERSATION
“There’s no greater lifestyle and no greater happiness than that of having a continual conversation with God.” ~ Brother Lawrence
That’s it! We can have a continual conversation with God no matter where we are or what is happening around us. The Bible says we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). What happens in temples? Prayer and worship, right?
A continual conversation with God means the channel is open for me to speak and listen to Him.
Anxiety will have a hard time living in a temple that is filled with prayer.
PAUL
“How can you tell me not to be anxious? You have no idea what I’m going through!” That might be your reaction when Paul says, “Don’t be anxious about anything.”
Let’s consider the man who wrote it. Paul is writing this letter to the Philippians from prison. For me, just the thought of being in prison makes me anxious. And that’s not all the apostle had to deal with.
“Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm. Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.” ~ 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 NLT
How could a man who had experienced that amount of suffering overcome anxiety? How could he say things like, “Rejoice always,” In everything give thanks,” and “Pray without ceasing?”
THANKSGIVING
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;” (Philippians 4:6)
Considering all that Paul went through, why would he have much reason to be thankful in the midst of it all?
Because the Lord is near.
I don’t believe he was making a list like, “Thank you that the sun is shining,” or “Thank you for my family.”
What can I be thankful for if I’m going through unimaginable suffering?
I can be thankful that the One who said, “I’ll never leave you nor forsake you” is keeping His promise. And that brings peace.
Kevin