“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” (Phil. 4:6-7).
Paul’s situation: Paul was in prison, possibly in Rome, awaiting a trial that could result in his execution (see Phil. 1:7, 13-14, 17, 20, 30; 2:17).
The Philippians’ situation: They were facing persecution (see 1:28).
What’s your situation? Are you facing adversity? Are you discouraged? Are you worried about something?
Big Idea: If you start your prayers with PRAISE you will end them in PEACE.
1. When you are faced with a problem, PRAY.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (v. 6).
A. The USUAL response to a problem is anxiousness.
• Anxiousness is never ACCEPTABLE.
We are commanded not to be anxious: “Do not be anxious about anything.”
Do not be anxious about what? Some things? The little things? No, “anything.”
• Anxiousness happens when you dwell on things that are beyond your CONTROL.
Matthew 6:25-27 (also vv. 28-34)
Illustration: Some people worry about dying. We can and should make healthy choices, but we can only do so much. Worry is counterproductive. It can actually make you die sooner.
• Anxiousness reveals that you need more FAITH in God.
Do you believe that God is in control? Do you believe that God is all-powerful? Do you believe that God’s wisdom is perfect? Do you believe that God loves you? Then trust Him.
B. The RIGHT response to a problem is prayer.
Paul doesn’t just say, “Don’t be anxious.” He also gives us the solution to anxiousness: prayer—thankful, confident prayer.
Someone once said, “Anxiety and prayer are more opposed to each other than fire and water.”
• Prayer should not be your LAST RESORT.
• Prayer shifts your focus away from our problems to GOD.
• Prayer ushers you into the PRESENCE of God.
The word “to” in the Greek text suggests the translation, “in the presence of God” (Kenneth Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament, vol. 2, p. 110).
“The Lord is near” (v. 5). Worry does not belong in the presence of the Lord.
• Prayer reveals where your faith is—in GOD not YOU.
Illustration: The disciples fear in the storm and Jesus’ power over the storm (Luke 8:22-25). “Where is your faith?”
When we pray, God wants us to leave our problems with Him. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
2. When you pray, don’t forget to start with PRAISE.
“with thanksgiving”
Illustration: Imagine that your neighbor constantly knocks on your door asking to borrow your stuff and never stops to thank you. Sometimes we treat God like that. We don’t stop to thank Him for what He’s given us in the past. God desires our praise. Luke 17 tells how Jesus healed ten lepers. “Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’” (Luke 17:17-18).
Before you ask, thank. This is was Jesus taught us in the Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” (Matt. 6:9).
A. Thanksgiving is praising God for His GOODNESS in the past.
Thanksgiving is a form of praise. The Psalms are filled with statements of praise and thanksgiving.
[Responsive Scripture reading]
I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
The LORD is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion
Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
May all who seek you;
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
“The Lord be exalted!”
I love you, O LORD, my strength.
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.
For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD.
(Psalm 40:1-3a; 116:1-2, 5; 40:16; 18:1-2; 40:5; 117:2)
Anxiousness fills our minds when we forget how God has blessed us in the past.
B. Thanksgiving is possible is EVERY circumstance.
“In everything”: even in the bad times. “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Rom. 8:28).
Illustration: Paul and Silas in prison at Philippi (Acts 16:19-25).
C. Thanksgiving will STRENGTHEN your faith in God.
Praising is done to benefit God (bring glory to Him), but it also ends up benefiting us.
3. When you praise, you will be filled with PEACE.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (v. 7).
A. Peace is not the enjoyment of PERFECT CIRCUMSTANCES.
Jesus said to His disciples, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). “In me” the disciples would find peace, but “in this world” they would find trouble.
B. Peace is a sense of INNER CONTENTMENT.
Peace is the opposite of anxiety.
Illustration: Harrison Ford, one of the most successful box office stars ever, recently told a journalist, “You only want what you ain’t got.” When asked what he didn’t have, he replied, “Peace.”
Genuine peace is rare, but Paul had it. He wrote, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:11-13).
C. Peace comes only from GOD.
It is the peace “of God.” This peace comes from God.
Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging…. ‘Be still and know that I am God’” (Ps. 46:1-3, 10).
D. Peace in the midst of problems cannot be UNDERSTOOD.
This peace “transcends [surpasses] all understanding.” Maybe you’re thinking, “How can I experience huge problems and have peace at the same time? That’s doesn’t make sense?” That’s the whole point. It doesn’t make sense. The peace of God transcends all understanding.
Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians that God “is able to do immeasurably more that all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us” (Eph. 3:20).
E. Peace will GUARD you from anxiousness.
The words “will guard” are translated from a Greek military word. God’s peace is like a guard keeping watch over your heart and mind preventing worry from entering in.
It’s interesting that Paul never mentions anything about receiving the answer to our prayers. Peace comes whether or not we see the answer we want. Peace comes from trusting in God.
“You will keep in perfect peace him who mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you” (Isa. 26:3).
Conclusion
• This week you will probably face some form of adversity or difficulty. Don’t react to the problem by worrying; pray first.
• Before you ask anything from God, take time to praise Him.
• As you praise God for His greatness and all He has done for you in the past, hand over your situation to Him. Ask Him to fill you with the peace that comes from trusting in Him.
P.R.A.Y.: A Model for Prayer
P = Praise
Philippians 4:6-7
Big Idea: If you start your prayers with _____________ you will end them in _____________.
1. When you are faced with a problem, _____________.
A. The ______________ response to a problem is anxiousness.
• Anxiousness is never ____________________.
• Anxiousness happens when you dwell on things that are beyond your __________________.
• Anxiousness reveals that you need more _____________ in God.
B. The _______________ response to a problem is prayer.
• Prayer should not be your ______________________________.
• Prayer shifts your focus away from our problems to ____________.
• Prayer ushers you into the ____________________ of God.
• Prayer reveals where your faith is—in ____________ not ____________.
2. When you pray, don’t forget to start with _____________.
A. Thanksgiving is praising God for His _________________ in the past.
B. Thanksgiving is possible is _____________ circumstance.
C. Thanksgiving will ____________________ your faith in God.
3. When you praise, you will be filled with ______________.
A. Peace is not the enjoyment of ______________________________________.
B. Peace is a sense of ___________________________________.
C. Peace comes only from ____________.
D. Peace in the midst of problems cannot be ____________________.
E. Peace will _____________ you from anxiousness.
