Prayer with Thanksgiving

Prayer with Thanksgiving

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. – Philippians 4:6

Here he goes again. In I Thessalonians 5: 18, Paul writes: “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Now in Philippians 4: 6, he teaches: “…in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.” What is he getting at?

Don’t be careful. Paul is not giving the Philippians license to go completely wild when he tells them be careful for nothing. Like the words of Jesus which commands us to take no thought for tomorrow, this line is not intended for us to read it and run reckless. It means for us to live our lives with care, but not so full of worries and care that we can’t live our lives.

Don’t be bashful. Let your requests be made known unto God. Don’t you know that you have not because you ask not? Didn’t you ever read: Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrew 4: 16). Did you forget: And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive? (Matthew 21: 22) Don’t keep your concerns to yourself. Bring them to God through Christ.

Do be thankful. Now, while you are freely and happily making your requests known to God, says Paul, make sure you send along some thanksgiving with it. Yes, you have a right and privilege to pray and ask God for anything. But, before you ask Him for anything, thank Him for everything.

It is like sprinkling sanctified salt on the French fries of your faith which brings the flavor out of it. It is like pouring holy hot sauce on your hallelujah which pumps up your prayer. It is like dropping a dash of vinegar on your pork barbecue which, though bitter, leads to the sweet taste of victory. It is like spraying the air around your altar with perfume which creates an atmosphere for the release of God’s revelation and resources.

Don’t be careful. Don’t be bashful. Be thankful!

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