“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT).
What is worry? Isn’t it anxious self-talk? It’s an internal conversation between you and you. Worry circles around our heads like a cloud of gnats that we can’t swat away. Worry is both wasteful and harmful to body and soul.
What is prayer? It’s talking to God. Why not take the same amount of effort that we’re putting into worry and turn it into prayer? Paul taught us to stop worrying and to start praying. Worry at its heart is an expression of doubt. It is the opposite of faith. Didn’t Jesus say, “Do not worry” (Matt. 6:25)?
Worry is sin, but prayer is an expression of faith. Prayer causes us to lift our eyes from ourselves to our Savior. Prayer pleases God. Even more, when we lift our worries to God, we experience the peace of God which surpasses all understanding.
So, let’s turn our worries into prayers!
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that we can lift all our concerns up to You. For You love us and are always ready to hear us. As we begin this day, we name each day’s concern to You, asking for the peace of God to replace any anxiety we have. Now strengthen and empower us to live for You today by the indwelling presence of Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.