Young People's Group

In Everything by Prayer…

by Mitchell Tan
March 06, 2019

BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING

In life, people can be anxious about many things. These things can cause them to feel worried and discouraged. When the apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians, he was dealing with several difficulties. There was the external problem of enemies of the gospel affecting the Church. Paul challenged the Philippians not to be terrified by them (Philippians 1:16). There was also the internal problem of unresolved relational difficulties (Philippians 4:2). When dealing with these issues, it can cause the Philippians to be anxious and emotionally down. Paul wrote to deal with this.

“Be anxious for nothing …”
Philippians 4:6

Paul’s challenge to the Philippians was firstly to stop being anxious. The word “anxious” in Greek means not to be overly troubled with cares. If there is faith in the Lord, there is no need to worry or be anxious about anything.

MAKING THE KIND OF PRAYER THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

“… But in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God …”
Philippians 4:6

The alternative to worrying is to pray in a certain way that would help deal with this anxiousness.

1. CHOOSING TO PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING

The person of faith will learn to pray about everything. He would choose not to worry but to commit everything to the Lord in prayer. He would learn to cast his worries and burdens on the Lord in prayer.

2. HAVING DEPTH IN PRAYER

Paul was challenging the Philippians to not just pray but to learn to go deeper in prayer. The word “supplicate” means to offer heart-felt entreaties for a specific need. There must be thanksgiving even as they prayed about their problems. They must not forget to give thanks to God.

3. GETTING DOWN TO PRAYING IN FAITH

Ultimately, they must get down to praying to God. They should pray in faith to God. The Lord Jesus had taught His disciples to ask, seek and knock (Matthew 7:7-11). The Lord God will give specifically when they ask in faith.

FINDING A DEEP SENSE OF PEACE

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

How do we know that we have made the right kind of prayer? There will come a special sense of peace to the heart.

1. THE KIND OF PEACE THAT THE LORD WILL GIVE

The kind of peace that the Lord gives is one that surpasses all understanding. It is not just a feeling of peace that anybody can claim to have when they think positively. This peace from God comes when we pray from a life that seeks to be righteous before Him. It is a peace that guards the heart and mind. It is something that stays with you and prevails over all worries. It will protect our mind and heart.

2. THROUGH CHRIST JESUS

This peace that the Lord gives comes through the ministry of the Lord Jesus as our Chief High Priest. He is our meditator to God in prayer (1 Timothy 2:5). It is through faith in our Saviour that this prayer will be answered.

Young people, let’s learn to pray about everything we go through. Whether it is facing stress in school or work, relational issues with friends or having problems at home, let’s learn to commit everything to the Lord in prayer. Let’s be confident that the Lord will grant us His great peace even as we learn to pray the way He wants us to in life and ministry.

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