In Everything by Prayer

Why are we a nervous group of people?

We all fall victim to this or at least most of us.

Even pastors.

Philippians 4:6–7 ESV

do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.

It is natural for us to have some fear.

We will have concerns about family, safety, health.

God has told us we don’t know our future.

Most of these fears are driven into our subconscious.

What happens when we dwell on those fears?

It weakens and panics us.

We live in a constant state of nervousness

It tends to steal our joy.

How do we dwell with this underlying fear?

Do we believe the people who say don’t worry at all?

Do we listen to the Pollyanna’s of the world and not listen to what our head might be telling us?

Do we live in a place where what we should fear logically no longer has any meaning to us?

How are we going to escape fear, when there are legitimate dangers that lie all around us?

Here’s what Paul has to say about fear.

Philippians 4:6–7 ESV

do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.

Here’s what Peter has to say.

1 Peter 5:7 ESV

casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Finally, here’s what Jesus had to say about it.

In Matthew, Jesus had just been telling the disciples not to pray like the Gentiles who thought the longer they prayed, the more effective their prayers would be.

Matthew 6:8 ESV

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

John 14:1 ESV

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

Let’s remember, there were times when Jesus was troubled about things as well. He went through afflictions. If He did, then we should expect to as well.

Where do you want to put you trust?

In everything by money

In everything by social prestige

In everything by publicity

In everything by committee

In everything by business methods

In everything by education

In everything by compromise.

Not one of these pleases God. On top of that, all these will do is add stress to your life.

These are all things we fall into. Even great leaders during Biblical times.

Moses

In Numbers 20, instead of speaking to the rock to produce water, he struck it. God had commanded him to speak to it, but Moses did what he wanted out of frustration and anger with the people he was leading.

God still produced the water for the people, but the result of Moses not listening, he wasn’t permitted to go into the Promised Land.

Joshua

He went on the appearance of the Gibeonites since they dressed themselves in old clothing and carried very little food with. They told him they were a small group of people who wouldn’t cause the Israelites any problems. This was far from the truth. Instead of praying to God for an answer as to how he should handle these people, Joshua told them they could stay in the land. This would end up being a thorn in Isreal’s side.

David

For some reason he wanted to count the number of the people of Isreal. It must have been a pride thing to be able to see how many people there were under his reign. His commander Joab advised against it, whom had sought Godly counsel. David didn’t listen, so there were consequences.

So, when we rely on these things, other than prayer and God, we fall into some of the best company in the Bible.

Our heavenly Father is portrayed as a caring Father who is taking care of the needs of His children.

He looks after us.

He guides us,

He cares for us.

He is there to see us through anything we face, all the way to the end.

While there are things we should be concerned about, why should we worry when we know Somebody is taking care of us.

Are you willing to let God take over?

Remember, peace doesn’t come from denying the trouble, it comes from turning it over to God and letting Him handle it.

By the fact of who we are, Children of God, we have the right to call on our Father during these times.

Why should we worry at all?