Thankful prayer overcomes worry

People today are wound tight! Many people are worried and anxious. Jesus said, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things…” (Luke 10:41). Many people are like Martha today- stressed and worried.

One person said, “Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but it doesn’t get you very far.” Worry comes from an old German word that means “to choke” or “to strangle.” Focusing on difficulties and troubles produces worry. A glass of water diffused into 50 million droplets becomes fog and can paralyze a small city. Worry is fear diffused and scattered in our minds. God wants us to overcome worry.

In the Book of Philippians the apostle Paul had every reason to worry. He was under house arrest chained to the Praetorian Guard. He would soon stand before Emperor Nero. He faced enemies inside and outside the church. Paul did not experience fear or anxiety. Paul said, “Be anxious for nothing” (Philippians 4:6).

What is the secret to overcoming worry? Philippians 4 verse 6 provides the answer. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” There are two steps to overcoming worry.

The first step is to pray. “…but in everything by prayer and supplication….” (verse 6) Most people who worry do not pray. It is impossible to have a strong prayer life and at the same time to be a chronic worrier. Take everything you are worried about and write it down. List every fear and every anxiety. Take that same list and transform it into a prayer list!

Our Lord Jesus did not worry. He prayed! Before choosing His disciples, Luke 6:12 says, “It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.” Mark 1:35 says, “In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.” Luke 5:16 says, “But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.”

The second step is to pray with thanksgiving. “…but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving…” (verse 6) The emphasis is not on praying but praying with thanksgiving. What does God mean by thankful prayer?

It may include looking back. Pray like this, “God, thank You for sending Jesus to die for my sins. Thank You for adopting me into Your family. Thank You I am bound for heaven. Thank You for the Bible. Thank You for my spouse and children and home.” Past performance is the best predictor of future results. Thankful prayer reminds us of God’s care and provision in the past. If God has taken care of us in the past He will also take care of the future!

Others say that thankful prayer is looking forward. Thankful prayer is thanking God in advance for what He is going to do. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God…” Joseph told His brothers, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.”

Worry and fear come because we do not trust God. Thankful prayer is confidence in God’s power and God’s goodness and God’s sovereignty. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus did not fear physical death. He begged to not be separated spiritually from the Father. Jesus reaffirmed His trust in the Father. He said, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You.” Jesus focused on the Father’s love and the Father’s power.

R.C. Sproul said, “There is not a random molecule in the universe.” God uses events and people to make us more like His Son. Thankful prayer reminds us of this reality.

The promise is, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). If you talk to God about your problems and thank Him in advance for what He is going to do, God’s personal peace will guard your heart and mind. God’s very own peace will garrison your thoughts.

We serve a God Who is good. We serve a God Who loves us. He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. Our God is powerful. Jesus today is enthroned at the right hand of God the Father. Our God has good plans for us. We can trust Him. Let’s overcome fear and anxiety through thankful prayer knowing that God’s peace will then surround us.

Ethan Hansen is a pastor at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.