“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
- The Stoic says: Know thyself
- The Hedonist says: Indulge thyself
- The Buddhist says: Lose thyself
- The Muslim says: Submit thyself
- The Humanist says: Improve thyself
- The Modern man says: Be thyself
But the Christian embraces the words of Jesus: “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.” (John 15:5)
Prayer is, in a sense, a confession of our need and helplessness to God. It is a recognition that He is in control and that His character is good. So, we’re called to pray about everything.
A few verses later, Paul writes: “I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) What kinds of “all” things, Paul? Like making a free-throw in a big game? No…remember, Paul wrote from prison. He means all things like rejoicing in the Lord when things are bad. All things like maintaining composure when the world’s falling apart. All things like learning contentedness. All things like not worrying about anything!
Jesus strengthens us when we pray because we are depending on God. Join us Sunday, and we’ll discuss “The Power of Prayer.”
