Overcome anxiety through thankful prayer

One person said that worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but it won’t get you very far! Worry comes from an old German word that means “to choke” or “to strangle.” Anxiety is unproductive. We live in a global village today. In medieval times a person was concerned only about their village. If anything goes wrong in the world today we hear about it immediately. Often the lead story for the local news is designed to provoke fear. “Local children poisoned by tap water. Are your children safe? Tune in for more information at 6 PM!”

US News says that Americans top fears are health care, crime and violence, federal spending and the availability of guns. God does not want us to fear. Philippians 4:6-7 teaches us how to overcome worry. The broader context is one of standing firm. Verse 1 says, “Stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.” God does not want us to be children tossed to and fro. We cannot stand firm if we are filled with worry.

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, 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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This verse breaks down into three parts.

First, there is the prohibition. “Be anxious for nothing….” You might say, “That is impossible. I am a naturally nervous person. I’ve tried before but I cannot overcome my fears.” We need to attack the problem God’s way. When you open the Bible God speaks. We hear His voice through the Bible. Scripture is supernatural.

Second, the prescription is clear. “…but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Prayer and supplication are general words for prayer. We must talk to God about everything. If you have trusted Jesus for salvation, God is your Father. Fathers love to hear from their children. Talk to God about everything.

What is the purpose of prayer? Prayer is not to give God information. God is omniscient. He never learns anything. God has all knowledge. We do not pray to give God information. Neither do we pray to change God’s mind. God is eternal. We are finite. We cannot manipulate God through prayer.

God has chosen to work through prayer. Prayer releases God’s power. Prayer is primarily designed to change us. Prayer produces faith and dependence and humility. The Bible says, “Be still and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:10) Prayer causes us to focus upon God. As we focus on Him, we are reminded of our dependence and need for Him.

One specific type of prayer overcomes worry and anxiety. It is thankful prayer. This is not prayer that looks back even though looking back is good. The best predictor of future results is past performance. This type of thankful prayer looks forward. It says, “God, whatever You send into My life will be for Your glory and my highest good. I am trusting You. I am thanking You in advance for whatever You send into my life.”

Thankful prayer that looks forward rests on a foundation of good theology. Theology is our knowledge of God. God is sovereign. Nothing comes into your life unless the Lord allows it. Romans 8:28 says, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God to those who are the called according to His purpose.” The Lord Jesus is working in your life to produce glory for Himself and your highest good. We can trust Him!

Horatio Spafford was a successful businessman. In his forties his life unraveled. His son died of scarlet fever. His extensive real estate holdings were destroyed in the Chicago fire of 1871. He booked his family for a trip to Europe. At the last moment his schedule changed. He sent his wife and daughters ahead. His four daughters drowned in a shipwreck. As Spafford rushed to Europe to comfort his wife, he asked the ship to stop where his daughters died. He penned the famous hymn, “It Is Well With My Soul.” He wrote, “When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll- whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, ‘It is well, it is well with my soul.’”

The prohibition and the prescription are followed, third, by a promise. The promise is, “And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (verse 7). The peace of God will guard or garrison your life. God’s supernatural peace that transcends circumstances will act as a sentinel in your life.

When we understand the past, we can respond to the future with thankful prayer. God the Father has done the greatest thing in sending His Son Jesus to die for us (Romans 8:32). Jesus is at the right hand of the Father praying for every believer (Romans 8:34). If you are a Christian, you can face the future with great thankfulness. God’s plan is bigger. God’s plan is better. God’s plan is more amazing than you and I can ever imagine. We can overcome worry and anxiety through thankful prayer!

Ethan Hansen is a pastor at Faith Bible Fellowship.