PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• We live worry-filled lives that add stress and anxiety to our every day.
And Friends, I don’t mean to brag, but I can outworry just about anyone.
Seriously, if worry was an Olympic sport, I’d take gold.
It’s a constant struggle for many of us.
The Bible repeatedly tells us not to worry, but what’s simple in theory isn’t always easy to do.
Nonetheless, we have a Savior who is willing to carry our burdens.
If you’re like me though, you may hand Him the bundle one day to take it back the next.
Philippians 4:6 says, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
And a lot of people read this verse! In 2017, it ranked in the Top 25 verses of Scripture according to BibleStudyTools.com (to give you some perspective—there are 31,102 verses in the Bible).
So why, when we’re commanded to not worry (Luke 12:25) or be anxious (Matthew 6:34), or carry our own burdens (Matthew 11:28-30)—why do we still do it?
Is it a lack of faith?
A lack of trust?
Our doubts will plague us relentlessly if we don’t do as Paul wrote—“by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
The solution is in the second half of the verse.
We often focus on the first part that tells us not to be anxious and then wring our hands wondering, “But how?”
Pray.
Then pray some more.
And pray for God’s heavenly peace.
Pray for the faith and trust you need to let go of worry and anxiety.
Jesus, the author of our faith, is fully capable of equipping us with what we need.
Today, as you pray, thank Jesus for His willingness to hold our worries.
Ask the Holy Spirit to give you peace as you learn to let go and let God handle the things that have always been within His control—never ours.
