“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).
Dear Heavenly Father, You are the Only One, who can make this possible. So we need You to be our teacher. Teach us how this can be accomplished. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God we pray. Amen.
You just received a pink slip from the Human Resource department on your job. Give thanks!
You just received a dreaded diagnosis from your doctor. Give thanks!
The bank where you have your mortgage just notified you that they cannot wait any longer; in 2 weeks you will have to vacate your home. Give thanks!
You just received a call asking you to come to the hospital, a loved one was in an awful accident. Give thanks!
Today the mailman brought you a “Dear John”/”Dear Mary” letter. Give Thanks!
You ask, How is this possible? How can you give thanks under such discouraging and foreboding circumstances. I believe the answer is in the text:
Step No. 1. “Be anxious for nothing. There is nothing as powerful as serving God with a made up mind! We see this in the attitude of Daniel’s three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego, as they responded to king Nebuchadnezzar’s threat:
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up” (Daniel 3:16-18, emphasis supplied).
In other words, “There is nothing more to be said about this matter O king,” God can, and He will, but if He does not – our minds are made up. We will not worship your golden image! PERIOD! They knew what their decision could lead to. But they were willing to trust God with the results.
When we are convinced that God’s way is the best way, and it always is, then, for us, there should be no other way! Very often it is our indecision that causes anxiety. Listen to what the apostle James says of such a person: “For let not that [person] suppose that [he or she] will receive anything from the Lord; [he or she] is a double-minded [person], unstable in all [of his or her] ways” (James 1:7, 8).
Knowing what we believe, why we believe it, and, more importantly, in whom we believe, constitutes a firm foundation for serving God with a made up mind, thereby eliminating the need for anxiety.
Step No. 2: but in everything by prayer and supplication . . .
“What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear, What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer” (Joseph M. Scriven).
If we are to be able to give God thanks in Everything, then the words of the songwriter does make sense! We should take Everything to God in prayer and supplication! Shouldn’t we? Notice Paul uses two terms for taking our requests to God. There are several definitions for both. I have selected only two definitions each:
Prayer: a) A reverent petition made to God or anther deity. b) An act of communion with God, as a confession, praise, or thanksgiving.
Supplication: a) To beg for humbly or earnestly, as by praying. b) To make a humble or earnest request.
There is not much of a difference between the two, except that a supplication seems to carry a greater urgency, in which the supplicant begs, more like a “must have,” than just a mere request. I believe that most of us can relate to both instances in our praying to God.
Dear God please give me safe travel to work this morning. (Prayer)
Dear God, I beg You, please save my child’s life! (Supplication)
Paul knew that there is a time for both forms of prayer in our lives. He also knew that God is willing to listen to both and according to His great love for us, grant us what will do us the greatest good! He knew that if we were willing to come to God, knowing Him as a personal loving friend, then both forms of prayer would include a very important element, submission.
Like the Hebrew boys, we know that God can, and will, but, if for reasons that only God knows, He does not – our trust in His love and wisdom, will produce thanksgiving in all things!