Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
PRAY WITH THANKSGIVING ... AND WITHOUT WORRY
In this Bible passage from Philippians Paul encourages Christians to let the day-to-day needs of their lives be known to their heavenly Father, and to do so with the confidence that He will supply them for His mercy's sake.
What special need do you have in your life right now? Healing from a medical ailment? Patience to bear up under a heavy cross related to home or family? A job to replace the one you lost? Money to pay the light bill? Let your need be known to the Lord. Then may the Spirit grant you grace to let any anxiety you feel in regard to your need melt away. Draw comfort from the sweet assurance shared by the psalmist that "the Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them" (Psalm 145:18-19). Know without doubt that He will supply your need at just the right time and in just the right way.
But someone might ask: Why should I call on the Lord to provide me with the things that I need? Doesn't He already know about them? Being the omniscient God, He surely does. Yet calling on Him in prayer to take care of your needs is important. It serves the beneficial purpose of reminding you that the Lord is the unseen Source of your blessings. It will also teach you to receive the gifts of "daily bread" you receive from His hand with a heart of thanksgiving.
All that for my soul is needful He with loving care provides,
Nor of that is He unheedful Which my body needs besides.
When my strength cannot avail me, When my powers can do no more,
Then will God His strength outpour; In my need He will not fail me.
All things else have but their day, God's great love abides for aye.
(Christian Worship, 253:3)
