There are many sources to turn to when we are feeling worried. We can turn to family members or friends for support. We can even turn to hobbies and pastimes for comfort when we feel worried. One thing is sure: our worries are too big to carry on our own. We were never meant to carry them on our own. As helpful and kind as the people we turn to when we are worried can be, there is a better One to turn to when we are worried. We are invited to pray to God when we are worried and invite Him to bring peace and to work in the situations that we are worried about.
The apostle Paul reminds us to pray instead of worrying in Philippians 4:6. He wrote in this passage of Scripture, "Don't worry about anything." This command is bold enough and strong enough to stop us in our tracks. According to Paul, Christ's followers need to worry about nothing. In a world that worries about everything, this command calls us to live differently. Instead of worrying, Paul tells us to pray. He writes, "Instead [of worrying], pray about everything. Tell God what you need." When Paul tells us to pray about everything in this verse, that means that there is nothing off limits when it comes to our prayer lives. We can pray about anything we are worried about and concerned about. Paul explains that when we pray about everything and thank Him for what He has done for us, we will “experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand” (verse 7). Even more, “His peace will guard [our] hearts and minds” (verse 7). When we pray, He trades in our anxiety for His peace.
Prayer is the antidote to worry. If we are struggling with worry, prayer should be our first line of defense. When we pray, we lay down our worries and struggles before our Heavenly Father, who loves us and gives us his peace. And isn't peace precisely what we need when we are overcome by worry?
What are you worried about? Bring it before God today. Tell Him your concerns, knowing that what concerns you concerns Him. Name all of your worries and ask for His help. As you pray, remember that you are praying to your Heavenly Father, who knows exactly what you need.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.
Words of Encouragement
2 Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. 3 And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 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.
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
