“Do not be anxious about anything, but in
everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to
God.” (Philippians 4:6)
Paul reiterates in Chapter 4 his encouragement to “stand
firm in the Lord…rejoice in the Lord always…let your forbearing spirit be known
to all men…
Using the “pronounce it” technique of Rick Warren’s
devotional Bible study method, I will take verse 6 bit by bit:
Do not be anxious I just took
my blood pressure, (a somewhat regular practice recommended by my doctor) and
it is in the acceptable range. As I prepare to push the start button on the
device, I take 10 slow, deep breaths so that I am “not anxious” as the cuff
tightens around my arm and measures my blood pressure. It is a discipline for
me to “not be anxious” and I will practice it today in every situation.
About anything This covers everything! I will
not be anxious about my health, my job, my marriage, my adult children, the
weather, my neighbors, the future, my cars, my finances, my next meal, …anything.
But in everything See above list.
By prayer and petition Talking to God, making my
requests known, spelling out everything that has the possibility of making me
anxious.
With thanksgiving
The antidote to anxiety seems to be thanksgiving. Don’t worry, be
thankful.
Present your requests This describes a formal
presentation, an action with intentionality involving my personal requests.
To God Sitting here in my family room
in the quiet of this Friday morning, it is important for me to remember and
acknowledge that my prayer is a presentation to the creator of heaven and
earth, the Lord of the Universe, the eternal all powerful, all knowing, ever
present God. Wow!!!
Thank you Lord for hearing my prayer. I will
endeavor to be anxious for nothing but in everything give thanks to You and
present my requests before your throne. Today I rejoice and forbear.
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