Something is bothering you right now. I can tell because you took the time to click on this post or stop by this blog. The title brought you in. Good. I’m glad.
I’m not glad something’s bothering you. But you should be. Whatever it is – it’s getting you looking toward God instead of the other “ways” you may have dealt with problems in the past such as anger, resentment, hatred, or some kind of addictive escape.
If something is bothering you, let me be clear: These next moments are critical. Will you pray? I hope so. Because no matter what it is, the Bible says you can pray about it.
Philippians 4:6 (NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Say this out loud (if you can):
~ Anxiety is for Nothing.
~ Prayer is for Everything.
Anxiety is for Nothing: I shouldn’t worry about it. Jesus said worry changes nothing. You may want to say that too – Worry changes nothing. NOTHING.
Prayer is for Everything: I should pray about it. And when I do it’s really very simple:
Prayer + Petition + Thanksgiving – Present to God.
Thanksgiving – Don’t just bullet list your problems to God. That’s NOT how you should pray. When I just spend prayer time only talking about what’s wrong I have found prayer time to be extremely negative and disconcerting. This is probably why most people don’t like to pray. It can become a constant stream of thoughts about all the things that need fixing.
No instead, pray about it and THEN BE SURE to THANK GOD for whatever you can. Here are some ideas:
Thank God…
- It is not worse that it is.
- That you can take this issue to God at all!
- For the things He’s brought you through in the past.
- For the Holy Spirit in you right now leading you into all Truth.
- For your church (if you don’t have one, GET ONE!)
- For what isn’t wrong with you (if you have your health…)
- That HE IS IN CONTROL.
- For the oxygen you need to Pray.
- That HE is working for your GOOD through this thing.
There’s a universe full of them. Thankfulness is a KEY ingredient to prayer time. It can turn the atmosphere around. It lifts your heart and relieves your mind. Focus on what’s right and not just what’s wrong.
If this isn’t working for you alone – get with someone and ask them to help you pray. Jesus said, “if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:19-20
Then, and only then – can you claim this promise for whatever is bugging you:
Philippians 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
By the way, there’s a good chance that whatever is bothering you right now will not be bothering you in 3 months. If you can give thanks for nothing else, give thanks for that.
Blessings.
