If you’re a parent, you probably remember little children who had no qualms about voicing their requests to you. Can I have an ice cream? Can I go over to Tommy’s house? I need cookies for school tomorrow! They didn’t need to be taught to ask, they seemed to know that. But the “thank you” part . . . mmmh. That’s the part we had to teach.
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians he seems to be teaching them about their relationship with a heavenly parent. No need to be anxious! Present your needs to God, feel free to ask! But then he inserts one more direction – lift up these prayers with thanksgiving. Ah, the thank you part. We find his message in Philippians 4:6. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Paul wrote that a long time ago, but his words still hit home today. There’s so much in our world to make us anxious. There’s so much in our daily life to make us anxious. Let’s face it, there’s even so much in our personal well-being to make us anxious. And here’s Paul saying to us: “Do not be anxious about anything!” That sounds like a tough order.

Paul urges us to turn to God in every situation, with our prayers and petitions. But as we do so, he asks us to remember the blessings that God has already bestowed upon us – to come gratefully to our heavenly Father for all that He has done. And then to lift up our needs and requests, confident that the God who has already blessed us in so many ways, can continue to bless our lives according to His will.

You may find reassurance reading Philippians 4:4-9, where Paul speaks with encouragement to his friends. And remember – the God who loved Paul, the God who loved the Philippians, this same God loves YOU unconditionally.

Judy

Today’s Reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A4-9&version=NRSV