Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Discipleship – Philippians 4:6-7- Present Your Requests To God – Growing As Disciples
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Weighed Down
What are you doing? What does it look like I am doing? It looks like you’re doing nothing. You look like you are frozen in place. You look like you are sitting there paralyzed with anxiety and worry. You look like you are carrying a very heavy burden. You look like you are weighed down by anxiety and worry. I can’t hide anything from you. No, you cannot. Do you like to be filled with anxiety and worry? No, I do not. What kind of question is that? Who would ever say that they like to be filled with anxiety and worry? Well, one could wonder about you. Why is that? You have almost made anxiety and worry a hobby in your life. You worry about anything and everything. Much of what you worry about doesn’t have the remotest chance of ever happening. You seem to imagine the worst and then begin to worry about that. Yes, I do. That’s not good. Yes, I know.
Would you like to be free of anxiety and worry? Yes, I would. Really? Yes, really. If you want to be free from anxiety and worry you must do two things. You have my full and complete attention. I want to know what two things I must do to be free from anxiety and worry. Are you sure? Yes, I am sure. First, you must relinquish control of your life over to me. You are not in charge. You do not control your destiny. You do not know the future. Will you trust me? Will you place your faith in me? Yes, I will trust you. Yes, I will place my faith in you. You say that now. Your commitment to trust me and place your faith in me will be tested every time you start to feel anxiety and begin to worry. In fact, anxiety and worry will be a sign that you are once again beginning to trust and rely on yourself. Do you understand? Yes, I understand.
What is the second thing that I must do if I want to be free from anxiety and worry? After you have placed your trust and faith in me, you must turn each one of your anxieties and worries into prayers to me. I want you to let go of your anxiety and worry by turning them into prayers to me. Do you believe that I will hear and answer your prayers? Yes, I do. Will you turn all your anxieties and worries into prayers to me? Yes, I will. That will be very good. My peace will come into your life as you turn all your anxieties and worries into prayers to me. That is what I want. That is what you will have as you present your prayer requests to me.
Heavenly Father, I have allowed my heart and mind and life to become filled with anxiety and worry. I have not turned my anxiety and worry into prayers to you. No longer will I carry anxiety and worry. Fill me with Christ’s peace as I present my requests to you. Amen
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