Pray About Everything

In Philippians 4:6 I read, “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” (NLT)  

People who have a strong prayer life take everything to the Lord and are never unhappy. They leave all of their problems, concerns, needs, and desires with God. It’s hard to be happy without prayer, and without trusting that God is in control.

In my last quiet time, I started looking at God’s formula for happiness. I learned the first part: which is to worry about nothing. The next and second part is to pray about everything.

Philippians 4:6 says, “Pray about everything. Tell God what you need” (NLT).

Notice this verse doesn’t say, “Pray only about big things” or “Pray only about things I think are spiritual.” It also doesn’t say, “Pray about everything except your career and things that are fun.” It says to pray about everything, not just about some things!

I often think God has things on his mind beyond my little problems. He’s a busy God. He’s out there creating universes. So how can I pray about my ingrown toenail?” They even think God would be insulted by my little requests.

This is far from the truth. I may get too busy for God and too busy to pray, but God is never too busy for my problems. An infinite God can be interested in an infinite number of things, all at the same time. That means I can talk to him about everything in my life: relationships, school, health, work, and play.

It’s hard to stumble if I’m on my knees.” If I want to be happy, pray about everything!

In summary, I am to not worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what I need, and thank him for all he has done. People who have a strong prayer life take everything to the Lord and are never unhappy. They leave all of their problems, concerns, needs, and desires with God. It’s hard to be happy without prayer, and without trusting that God is in control. I started looking at God’s formula for happiness. The first part: which is to worry about nothing. The next part is to pray about everything. This verse doesn’t say, “Pray only about big things”, It says to pray about everything! I often think God has things on his mind beyond my little problems. He’s a busy God. This is far from the truth. I may get too busy for God and too busy to pray, but God is never too busy for my problems. If I want to be happy, pray about everything!

Imagine never worrying about anything! It seems like an impossibility; as we all have worries on the job and in my home life. But Paul's advice is to turn our worries into prayers. If I want to worry less, then I need to pray more. Whenever I start to worry, stop and pray instead.

Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 

Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in others lives. I pray all these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen.