Pray Instead of Worry

In Philippians 4:4, 6 I read, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray." (NLT)

Contrary to popular opinion, God wants me to be happy. Many don’t believe that to be true; they think the more dull you are, the more spiritual you are. But the Bible says, “Happy are the people whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 144:15 GNT).

Not only does God want me to be happy, but he tells me how to be happy! In fact, God has a four-part formula for happiness. It’s found in the book of Philippians.

The first part of the happiness formula is this: Worry about nothing. The Bible says, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray” (Philippians 4:4, 6 NLT).

Worry basically means one thing: I’m not trusting God in a particular area. It’s the opposite of faith. It’s like saying, “God, I really don’t believe you’ve got everything under control.”

Worry never solves your problems. It only takes up a lot of energy. It can’t change the past, and it can’t change the future, however it can certainly ruin the present. Somebody once said that worry is like a rocking chair; it will give me something to do, but I don’t get anywhere with it.

Jesus said it like this: “Don’t ever worry about tomorrow. After all, tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34 GW).

What if I converted the energy I use to worry about something to pray about it instead? Rather than pushing the panic button, what if I pushed the prayer button?

Prayer is my communication with God and the first thing I should do when I start to worry, and not as a last resort. Some people say, “We’ve tried everything else. We might as well pray!” Instead, take my concerns to the Lord first so that I won’t waste energy worrying.

I can’t worry and be happy at the same time. That’s why the first step to happiness is to stop worrying, and to start praying! It’s not always easy to do, people are natural worriers. However, I should give it a try today.

As I stop worrying and start praying, I’ll find new power in my life as I live for God’s purposes every day.

In summary, learn to always be full of joy in the Lord. Rejoice! Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray. God wants me to be happy. Many don’t believe that. But the Bible says, “Happy are the people whose God is the Lord”. Not only does God want me to be happy, but he tells me how to be happy! In fact, God has a four-part formula for happiness. It’s found in the book of Philippians. The first part is to worry about nothing. Worry basically means one thing: I’m not trusting God in a particular area. It’s the opposite of faith. It’s like saying, “God, I really don’t believe you’ve got everything under control.” Worry never solves my problems. It only takes up a lot of energy. It can’t change the past, and it can’t change the future, however it can certainly ruin the present. What if I converted the energy I use to worry to pray instead?  Prayer is my communication with God and the first thing I should do, not as a last resort. I can’t worry and be happy at the same time. As I stop worrying and start praying, I’ll find new power in my life living for God’s purposes.

Even in prison, Paul tells us to rejoice. Paul's attitude teaches me an important lesson: My inner attitude doesn't have to reflect my outward circumstance. Paul was full of joy because he knew that no matter what happened to him, Jesus Christ was with him. It's easy to get discouraged about unpleasant circumstances or to take unimportant events too seriously. If I've not been joyful lately, I may not be looking at life from the right perspective. Ultimate joy comes from Christ dwelling within me. Christ is near, and at his second coming I will fully realize this ultimate joy. He who lives within us will fulfill his final purposes for me. Imagine never worrying about anything! It seems impossible; I have worries on the job, and in my home. But Paul's advice is to turn my worries into prayers. To worry less, pray more. 

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.