Cultivate Your Prayer Life
There’s a popular inspirational meme that’s been floating around on social media that says, ―Worry is a conversation you have with yourself about things you cannot change, but prayer is a conversation you have with God about things He can change. This message is a great reminder, especially for those of us who are prone to anxiety. We all internally know that worrying about it never changes anything, but that doesn’t mean we don’t do it. No, we fret over situations, circumstances, people, and decisions. In so doing, we make mountains out of the proverbial molehills. We stress ourselves out, lose sleep, and strain our mind and body when we choose to worry. There’s probably a least one thing in everyone’s life that triggers some anxiety. Worry and anxiety, though, are some of Satan’s biggest tools to steal away the joy we have in Jesus Christ. There is an answer for anxiety, however, and that is found in a healthy prayer life.
As Paul was concluding his prison letter to the church at Philippi, he wrote, ―do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV). Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything—these are the words of Paul! Christians don’t have to stress themselves out by worrying over situations they cannot control. Instead, they can pray to their Father in Heaven who is always willing to hear and help! The answer to chronic worry is a consistent prayer life that is overflowing with prayers, sup-plications, thanksgiving, and requests. Prayer is the thought of the heart being expressed to God. Supplication is a need, want, or desire that is voiced to God. Thanksgiving is a prayer of praise and gratitude to God. Requests are other needs conveyed to God through prayer. When our days are littered with a combination of these prayers, God’s peace will build a fortress around our heart that anxiety cannot penetrate! Don’t forfeit the peace that God can give you by worrying; choose to pray instead!
Worry can defeat us and discourage us, but prayer can empower and encourage us! The English word ―worry actually comes from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning ―to strangle. When the Chris-tian’s mind is filled with worry, Satan can strangle all the spiritual oxygen out of us. Payer, however, give us the strength and momentum to tackle life’s most difficult moments, knowing that God is on our side. Inner calmness and tranquility await the believer who has a prayerful disposition that is coupled with unwavering confidence that God is able and willing to do what is best for His children. If you want to experience ― the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7) in 2021, then don’t forget to pray! Work on cultivating your prayer life and your relationship with God. Cast ― all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7 ESV).
Brandon Baggett is a former Pulpit Minister for Eastern Meadows Church of Christ.
