Day 12: Turning Worry into Prayer
Bible passage: Philippians 4:4–9
A Letter from Prison
Today is Tuesday 12th of January 2021. Welcome to Day 12 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. There is no shortage of things to worry about this winter: our health, our jobs, the people we love and cannot visit, and the news each evening.
Paul was not writing from a comfortable place either. He wrote to the Philippians as a prisoner, not knowing whether he would live or die. From there he wrote this. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.” Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
The Exchange
A Conversation with Yourself
When we worry, we go round and round the same “what if” questions. We are talking to ourselves about problems we cannot solve. Prayer takes the very same concern and turns it towards Someone who can do something about it. The energy is the same. The direction is different.
About Everything
Paul says everything. Nothing is too small to bring to God and nothing is too big. He tells us simply to tell God what we need.
With Thanksgiving
He also tells us to thank God for all He has done. Thanksgiving reminds us of God’s record. When we remember how He has helped us before, the present trouble shrinks to its proper size. It is very hard to panic and give thanks in the same breath.
A Guard on Duty
Then comes the promise. We will experience God’s peace, which is beyond anything we can understand, and that peace will guard our hearts and minds as we live in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
The word Paul uses is a military one. Philippi was a Roman colony, and its people were used to seeing soldiers on guard. God’s peace, says Paul, will stand like a sentry at the door of your heart.
Notice what is promised and what is not. Paul does not say that the situation will change at once. He says that we will be guarded while we wait.
Where the Mind Goes Next
Fix Your Thoughts
Paul goes on to tell us where to point our minds once we have prayed: towards what is true, honourable, right, pure, lovely and admirable (Philippians 4:8). An empty mind soon fills with worry again. A mind fixed on these things has no room for it.
God has not left us to face the future alone. He tells His people not to be afraid, because He is with them, and He promises to strengthen them, help them and hold them up (Isaiah 41:10). His plans are for good and not for disaster, to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).
Three Steps for Today
Catch it. Each time you notice a worried thought today, turn it straight into a one-sentence prayer.
Write it down. List the things that are worrying you. Pray through the list, and write today’s date beside each one as a record that you have given it to God.
Give thanks out loud. Before you ask for anything, thank God for three specific things.
If anxiety has become constant or overwhelming, please do not struggle on alone. Talk to someone you trust, speak to your GP or get in touch with our pastoral team. Asking for help is not a lack of faith.
Prayer for Today:
Father, You know how quickly my mind runs to worry. Today I bring You everything that is troubling me, and I leave it in Your hands. Thank You for all You have already done for me. Let Your peace stand guard over my heart and my mind. Help me to fix my thoughts on what is true, and to trust You with tomorrow. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Keep going
See every day of this guide on our Prayer & Fasting page.
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