Finding Peace through Prayer

Philippians 4:6-7

Introduction

·         Charlie Brown—I've developed a new philosophy... I only dread one day at a time. 

·         Some folks—not a care in the world—no worries. WOW—wish I could be like that!

·         This message is for the rest of us.

·         Both my parents were worriers so I grew up exposed to worry. Not blaming—just trying to understand myself.

·         It seems that all my life I’ve fought a war with worry. Battles come and battles go. Some days I win, some days I lose.

·         Wild—been thinking on this passage for more than 2 weeks. Last week had put many thoughts down on paper—but woke up Monday—got to the church—started working on this—man, I was struggling. Had been a difficult couple of days. Call Sunday afternoon . . . Talked with him Monday night.

·         Several months ago I made a list of all the things that were getting to me. Kids, money, health . . .

·         Make a list of things to worry about. Top ten.

o   Current economic crisis

o   Presidential election

o   Health

o   Money

o   Children/grandchildren

·         As I looked at my list—most stuff—out of my control.

·         Now consider the effects of worry/anxiety on the body. (See Article)

·         Better not to worry or be anxious. We’d all agree on that.

·         Seven Tips (Anxiety Disorders Association of America)

o   Turn off the TV (I did that!)

o   Determine if immediate action is required

o   Concentrate on the things you can control

o   Put things in perspective

o   Think conservatively

o   Stay healthy

o   Talk to someone

·         Not bad—decent, common sense counsel

·         Don’t Worry. Be Happy. (Bobby McFerrin, 1988)

1.     What we do: Stop worrying, start praying.

·         That’s Paul’s advice to the Philippians, and of course, to us.

·         The text is translated “do not be anxious.” Better—Stop being anxious.

·         Not about no cares at all. It’s about dwelling intently on stuff, especially that over which we have no control.

·         Stop doing that and start praying.

·         Prayer and supplication with an attitude of thanksgiving

·         Now we all know how to pray, right? Talk to God (prayer) and ask him certain things (supplication). Easy enough—praying is talking to God.

·         That’s the one thing everyone here can do. Can’t run a marathon. Can’t fly the space shuttle. Some of us can’t sing solos. Some of us can’t teach Sunday School. But everyone one of us can pray.

·         But do we? Is the practice of prayer a constant in our lives? When we run smack dab in the middle of something nasty, do we let it eat us up or do we give it up to God in prayer.

·         I believe that’s what Paul’s talking about. Instead of being consumed by all the chaos we sometimes find ourselves in, we oughta be dumping all of it right in God’s lap. Let him handle it!

·         What does this mean, thanksgiving?

·         Not “Thank you, God for this cancer that is destroying my body.” Not “Thank you, God for all the perpetrators of child abuse.” Rather it’s “Thank you, God that in the midst of all the garbage we face in life, you are at work, with the ultimate goal of making a masterpiece out of this mess we’ve made.”

·         Now here’s where the rubber meets the road: praying with an attitude of thanksgiving requires trust. Total confidence that God is real and that he really loves us—that he has our best interest in mind—that he wants what’s truly best for us.

·         During the 1930s, 250 men were holding the ropes to a dirigible (an airship similar to a blimp) to keep it from floating away. Suddenly a gust of wind caught one end of the dirigible, lifting it high off the ground. Some of the men immediately let go of their ropes and fell safely to the ground. Others panicked, clinging firmly to the end of their ropes as the nose of the dirigible arose to greater heights. Several men who couldn't keep holding on fell and were seriously injured. One man, however, continued to dangle high in the air for forty-five minutes until he was rescued. Reporters later asked him how he was able to hold on to the rope for so long. "I didn't hold on to the rope," he replied.  "I just tied it around my waist, and the rope held on to me." 

·         Instead of reacting to all the junk that comes our way by worrying, we pray—trusting God all the way. And here’s what we get . . .

2.     What we Get: Peace

·         Not ordinary peace, but rather the peace of God. What’s this?

·         Seventh grade art class—making peace symbols. Not what Paul’s talking about. The peace of God isn’t absence of conflict, but rather it’s wholeness—the sense of total wellbeing.

·         Transcends understanding. We can’t begin to fully comprehend it.

·         And for us . . . what we so desperately need—security. Anxiety reflects what? Our insecurity—our fear.

·         As we pray, trusting God, instead of anxiety we get security—God’s security.

·         God’s peace will guard (a military term—like soldiers guarding) our heart and minds.

·         Illustr. For security

·         Security is found not in concrete bunkers—planes, tanks, powerful armies—mutual funds—diversified portfolios. Only in the Lord alone!

·         Hearts and minds?

·         The inner person. Our thoughts—our emotions. Our mental, emotional, and volitional health. Our thoughts, our feelings, our choices.

·         All very fragile. The line between sanity and insanity is a lot thinner than someWe need that guarded by God!

·         Listen. With God guarding our hearts and minds, we will be ok!!

 Conclusion

·         So . . .stop worrying and start praying!!

Hymn: 

Don't Worry, Be Happy
Performed by Bobby McFerrin

Here is a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don't worry be happy
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don't worry, be happy......

Ain't got no place to lay your head
Somebody came and took your bed
Don't worry, be happy
The land lord say your rent is late
He may have to litigate
Don't worry, be happy
Look at me I am happy
Don't worry, be happy
Here I give you my phone number
When you worry call me
I make you happy
Don't worry, be happy
Ain't got no cash, ain't got no style
Ain't got not girl to make you smile
But don't worry be happy
Cause when you worry
Your face will frown
And that will bring everybody down
So don't worry, be happy (now).....

There is this little song I wrote
I hope you learn it note for note
Like good little children
Don't worry, be happy
Listen to what I say
In your life expect some trouble
But when you worry
You make it double
Don't worry, be happy......
Don't worry don't do it, be happy
Put a smile on your face
Don't bring everybody down like this
Don't worry, it will soon past
Whatever it is
Don't worry, be happy