Just Pray!

Just Pray!

Philippians 4:6 NIV

[6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

Anxiety is defined as 'a feeling of fear, dread, or uneasiness that can be a normal reaction to stress or pressure. It can be mild or severe, and can manifest physically, mentally, and in how someone behaves'. Think of all that is laid out above, and reflect on the danger that anxiety, if uncontrolled, can cause to human life. We are also told that anxiety can be a 'helpful response to stress, providing a boost of energy or helping someone focus. However, it can become a problem if it is overwhelming or interferes with daily life or relationships'. God, who made us and knows who we are and how we are constituted, knows the danger of anxiety to our human frame. As per his initial plan for man, anxiety about anything was not part of the plan. Sin came and messed up the plan, but the coming of Jesus to die for our sin has dealt with the power and reach of sin once and for all. 

Now, I have access to help from God who tells me categorically not to be anxious about anything and also prescribes the solution to whatever weighs on my heart. He tells me not to be anxious about anything at all, but to pray about everything. Anxiety does no temporary good, because it just robs you of the peace that God wants to establish and entrench in the heart. That is deep. Consider the One who gave such a command, and ask if He is capable of providing the solutions you need for all that you face. Life will happen to all of us at different times in our lives. As we are in this mortal body, there will be seasons of joy as well as threats to the peace of God in our hearts, but we must keep our hearts on the prize that Jesus has secured for us, which is access to the riches of God's grace and the resources of heaven. No demand of earth can exhaust the resources of heaven. 

It is not enough to just encourage me not to be anxious, but the alternative is provided, and that is to approach God in prayer. The attitude in and content of prayer also matter: would I just come to God and reel off all my problems, without really asking Him to take care of them? Would I just lay all my cares on Him without even remembering to thank Him for being there and supporting me all through the journey of life? Would I focus just on my own problems, and simply ignore all the cares around me which I could help with? Prayer is God's way of reminding me that He is there, and I can come to Him anytime. I must also remember that He is sovereign, and He knows how to meet my needs. All I can do is open my mouth and ask the right way, and also thank Him at all times that He is available and approachable. Lay ALL your requests before Him and leave them there with Him. That is all He asks me to do. In His hands, my life will only turn out great. God's time of favour is here.