Let Your Requests Be Made Known to God

by Mitchell Tan
October 07, 2021

DISCOVERING A GOD OF INFINITE PEACE IN PRAYER!

There is so much that we can discover about God as we learn to pray to Him. It is through the personal practice of prayer that we can cultivate a meaningful relationship with Him. As we pray, there is also the privilege of gaining enlightenment from Him and with that comes a deeper understanding of who He is. Furthermore, there is the opportunity for us to develop our faith further. As Paul wrote to the Philippians, he saw how they can discover Him in prayer as a God of great peace. In life, there will be things that may cause one to be anxious and troubled. The challenge to the Philippians was to not worry but to pray to the Lord, the source of endless peace.

PRAYING THE KIND OF PRAYER WHERE PEACE WILL BE GIVEN

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God …”
Philippians 4:6

1. HAVE FAITH IN GOD TO PRAY

A. TO PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING

Paul strongly entreated his readers to not be anxious about anything in life. If God had irrefutably proven Himself as a God of great grace to the Philippians, there is nothing that they could not bring before Him in prayer. Paul also challenged the Philippians by means of prayer to cast all their worries and cares to Him. They were to make known all their requests to God as their personal expression of faith and trust.

B. TO PRAY WITH GREATER EFFORT

At times when answers to prayers may not be immediately forthcoming, greater prayer effort should be made by means of supplication. Supplication means to petition with a greater sense of urgency and perseverance. We are to plead with faith and with all our heart and soul involved as we pray.

2. HAVE FAITH TO PRAY WITH THANKSGIVING TO GOD

Paul also wrote of how important it was for the Philippians to give thanks for the Lord’s grace. Despite facing problems, there were still many things for them to give thanks for. Paul personally practised this when he, despite being in prison, still gave thanks for the Philippians and their fellowship in the gospel (Philippians 1:3).

THE PEACE THAT GOD GIVES

“… And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7

When we pray the kind of prayer that pleases God, there will come a peace from Him within our hearts that passes all understanding. His peace will come over us and will guard our hearts and minds in a special way. There will come a deep sense of peace that overcomes all our worries and cares. It is through Him that our prayers can be brought before Him. It is also from the Lord Jesus we can have grace and peace (Philippians 1:2). It is His abundant grace that will bring about this surpassing peace.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

In this day and age, there are more things to be anxious about in this Covid 19 plagued world. Many are struggling with anxiety disorders. Many are finding life a bit harder to live. The best thing we can do is to not go to “pieces” but to pray to the God of peace. Let’s learn how to commit everything in life – our challenges, our fears, and our ill-feelings – to the Lord in prayer. Let’s learn to give heartfelt thanks to Him and trust Him. We can indeed discover Him further as a God of great grace and peace.

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