Putting it Into Practice Part 3 - Prayer and Peace

Introduction:

Anxiety and fear are thieves

Time and energy is lost Matt.6:27

Matthew 6:27 ESV

27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

Trust in God is diminished Matt 6:30-32

Matthew 6:30–32 ESV

30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

Focus is lost Matt 6:33

Matthew 6:33 ESV

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Prayer and thanksgiving add to your wellbeing

God will even use the things that might make us anxious to bring us near to him Amos 4:9

Amos 4:9 ESV

9 “I struck you with blight and mildew; your many gardens and your vineyards, your fig trees and your olive trees the locust devoured; yet you did not return to me,” declares the Lord.

Prayer is far more than a list of requests, it is meant to enhance our relationship

While anxiety should not be given the smallest foothold in your life, prayer should show up everywhere

And thank God for the prayer he has heard and that he will answer

Peace is a fortress not a feeling

Imagine yourself in an intense battle out in an open field

Now start praying

Phil. 4.7

Philippians 4:7 ESV

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.