Be Prayerful and not Anxious: Discover the God of Peace

Causes of Stress and Anxiety

Stressors are:

Anxiety is:

God is Peace

Instructions to know Peace in your life.

1. Rejoice in the Lord

Philippians 4:4 NASB95

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

Find joy in the Lord. Jesus promised us joy in knowing him in the power of his resurrection.

This imperative by Paul comes by knowing one is in right relationship with Jesus.

John 15:11 NLT

11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

This joy is from being in the state of happiness caused by knowing Jesus and redemption of sin. Knowing the power of salvation.

You know peace in knowing the prince of peace by no longer at war with God living in the flesh, but now know the peaceful relationship in Christian community with God.

2. Be known by your gentle

Philippians 4:5 NASB95

5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

or NLT

Philippians 4:5 NLT

5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

The Greek word translated gentle in NASB or Considerate in NLT is also defined within the lexicons

This word in Greek being translated gentle is also defined within the lexicon as wholesome, fair, just, gentle, kind, courteous, tolerant, not insisting on every right of letter of law or custom.

Christians should be setting the example of a compassion community of love and respect. The church in times like this should be leading the example of respect of personhood, womanhood. We need to show how all of God’s creation should be loved and respected.

Walk out your life before all others to show you belong to Christ. Let the love of God that is in you be seen. If it is in you then it should be showed to all who you encounter. This should be done with great anticipation of the LordԳ return and because the ever presence of God’s Spirit. The Lord is near.

The church should set the example of what it is to follow after Christ. Paul encourages the church of Philippi to work in unity and love. When people outside of the church see the church, they should see a different lifestyle from th world that reflects the teachings of Jesus. The Gospel should bring forth transformation in our lives, because of the change that has happen from Christ working within us..

3. Do not be anxious.

Philippians 4:6 NLT

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Anxious - to be troubled with cares, worry about our issues.

Faith - is belief and confidence in God to provide for his children. Therefore, being anxious is not depending on God.

Instead one should lay all their problems before the Lord.

How not to be anxious is with prayer.

Prayer is being in communication with God.

Knowing God is being in constant communication with God.

Seek God by having an habitual prayer life.

Paul opens up the letter speaking how he keeps them in prayer with joy and thanks God for them. We too need to pray with thanksgiving.

Make your urgent request to God (supplication) with thanksgiving.

with thanksgiving to the Lord of lords who can satisfy all ones needs. Removing ones anxiety is to place ones faith in God to handle the issues of life that are overwhelming.

Come with hope that God is able to do what you seek.

God already knows what you are in need of before you pray (Matthew 6:8), and you pray still because God calls us to pray and depend on him.

Matthew 6:8 NLT

8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!

God’s response to our trust in him is Peace

Philippians 4:7 NLT

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.

Guard - this term is a military term that describes armed forces protecting and guarding against an hostile invasion. Therefore to show how GodԳ peace will actively guard our hearts against the enemy. This is is a result of being in prayer.

God will guard your heart - the seat of your emotions and concerns and desires;

mind - your thought and conscience and attitude. In keeping your heart and mind it also shows the surrender of life to God to love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind. This is available for those who are in Christ Jesus.

To be in Christ Jesus is to be in total surrender to the LordԳ life and seeking his will in your life over your own will.