Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Thoughts on Today’s Verse…
Anxiety is worrying about things that we cannot control and worrying over things that we cannot remove from our thoughts. Anxiety dominates and controls a passive mind and a troubled heart, filling both with doubt, fear, and dread. The truth is clear. Anxiety cannot be removed; it must be replaced. We replace our anxieties by giving our concerns and worries to the LORD, trusting him to care for us. Then, as we thank him for what he has done and what he is doing in our lives, we replace those concerns and worries with a genuine sense of his presence through our thanksgiving. As a result, our confidence in his future for us can return to us, leading to even more reduction of anxiety and a greater anticipation of joy.
My Prayer…
Father, I know you love me. You have done so much to bless and save me. I deliberately place the worries and concerns of my heart in your hands… (Let’s each take a moment and specifically mention what burdens our hearts today and give them to the Father.) Father, I also want to thank you for the many ways you have blessed me over my life… (Let’s specifically mention blessings we have received from God). Now, dear Father, please fill my heart with your Spirit and my mind with the sense of your presence and peace. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
