Keep Us Thankful in Prayer

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

We know that we’re not to worry, but to trust God (John 14:1). The answer to living this way is to not let our minds drift into worry or anxiety. Let’s pray that God will give us a special sensitivity to worry, so that we can immediately turn our anxious thoughts to prayer. We can and should seek God’s help (Matthew 7:7-9; James 4:2-3), praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), but always with thanksgiving. We’re to thank God in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and for everything (Ephesians 5:20).

Why? Because when we pray this way, we put our focus on God and not on our problems. Such prayer indicates our faith in Him, which pleases Him (Hebrews 11:6). Constant prayer helps us fix our eyes on Jesus, and reminds us of what is really important—things that are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:17-18), fruit that lasts (John 15:16), treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). This is not positive thinking, but living by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Such faith carries its own reward—the peace of God which guards our hearts and minds, the peace that comes from Christ Himself (John 14:27). What a powerful witness we can be to the world when the peace of God rules in our hearts (Colossians 3:15); it’s one of the ways we demonstrate that we are in the world but not of the world (John 17:15-16).

Grace and peace to us all!