Do not worry 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. Philippians 4: 6, 7, NRSV
Dear Heavenly Father, please teach us how to pray and not worry, for Christ’s sake. Amen
Today we have some good advice followed by a promise: Do not worry, pray and give thanks; and you will have the peace of God! At first glance, a simple formula with very powerful results! It would be simple if we could first learn how, “not to worry.”
This brings to mind the story of Paul and Silas imprisoned for casting a demon of divination out of a young girl. When her masters saw that they could no longer make money by exploiting her, they took Paul and Silas before the authorities and accused them of teaching “customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or observe” (Acts 16: 21). After beating them mercilessly, the authorities put them in prison. The Bible says that at “midnight,” they prayed and sang hymns to God (25). In spite of the pain caused by the beatings, and the discomforts of the prison cell, instead of bemoaning the injustice done to them, Paul and Silas decided to pray and form a praise team!
This praise ascended before the throne of grace with such power that it caused an earthquake so great that the prison walls were severely damaged, the doors of the prison were open, and even the chains fell off of the prisoners (26). The prisoners could have easily fled, but they did not (28)! So mighty was the testimony of these two men of God, that not only the elements of nature reacted, but the nature of the prisoners was affected – positively! There were even greater results; the jailer recognized that these two men were saved, and wanted to know how he could be saved as well! He wanted what they had. After studying the Bible with the apostles, the jailer and his family accepted Jesus as their personal Savior from sin and were baptized (29-33)! Hallelujah!
The Bible says that they prayed and sang hymns. It does not say what they prayed about, the important thing is that, instead of worrying, they prayed to the Lord with thanksgiving (hymns of praise)! This kind of behavior brought them peace. You see my friends, our own behavior affects us, and can also affect the behavior of others, for good or for evil! God knew (as He always does) what He was talking about when He advised us to replace worry with prayer and thanksgiving. He made us; He knows how our psyche works! And when we obey Him we will have a peace that transcends our understanding. We will ask ourselves “How can I be feeling as peaceful as I am, with all that is going on in my life?” Others will ask the same question. Some may even be saved as a consequence!
This is wonderful advice. By God’s grace I intend to adopt it for my life. What about you? Will you join me? If you would like to make this decision today I invite you to join me at the Prayer Request Chapel so that we can pray together.