Author: Pastor Andrew Farland
Our prayers are the place where God exchanges good gifts with us. I don’t know about you, but if prayer is where I can meet with the God of the universe, I don’t mind giving it a shot!
Yesterday, we spoke about how God exchanges His grace and presence for our willingness to spend time with Him. I personally love how easy God makes it for us. We spend time with Him; He rewards us with His grace. Count me in!
Today’s Scripture should entice you even more to figure out ways to connect with God through prayer.
Philippians 4:6-7 says this:
“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life.”
When we come to God with requests and thanksgiving, He returns the favour. It’s that simple. If you and I spend time asking God for what we need and praising Him for what He’s done, He promises to fill us with peace.
The Bible describes peace as “wholeness” or a “fullness of life.”
I don’t know about you, but I could use a little peace these days. My prayers are full of anxiety and worry about the future. They are full of petitions for God to show up in my relationships, job, and soul. Sometimes, I finish my prayers and wonder if God is looking down at me and says, “That guy sure does complain a lot!” God’s words in Philippians chapter 4 remind me that God wants me to fill my prayers with honest requests for my life. He wants me to be thankful for the good things that I have today! God totally accepts when I pour out my worries and doubts to Him. And when I talk to Him about my anxiety and fears, He sends me a peace that surpasses all understanding.
Today, remember that God promises to give you peace if you spend a little time thanking Him and honestly asking Him to show up in your life.
“Peace I leave with you, The peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
