Be Anxious for Nothing

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4: 6-7

The Bible doesn’t just give a command and then leave you to see how you will figure it out. It always gives you steps to obey. When Paul told us not to worry—to be “anxious for nothing”—he also gave us the antidote for worry. “But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” In other words, take the things that are worrying you and let them become the subjects of your prayer life. Rather than worrying about them, pray about them.

**Turn your cares into prayers.

Paul makes a distinction between prayer and supplication. Prayer is communion with God. It is talking with Him, worshiping Him, and simply loving Him for who He is. Supplication is making a request. It is when the conversation between you and God gets down to your present need. Paul instructs us to make our requests known to God, but we need to start with first things first—loving worship and prayer.

Prayer should always precede our requests. When we handle our worrisome issues in this way—coming to God through prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving—the end result is that we gain peace that passes all understanding. Though the outward problems have not yet been taken care of (and may even be getting worse), you still find that you are experiencing an incredible peace.

Father, thank You for who You are and all that You do for us. Bless us with Your peace as we seek You. In Jesus’ name, amen.