Turn Your Worries Into Prayers - February 27

Read Philippians 4:6-7

…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Reflect

When you are worried and begin to feel anxious about something, what is typically your first reaction?

I have tossed and turned all night long. I have made myself sick with worry. I have cried myself to sleep, assaulted by anxious thoughts. I have replayed a scenario over and over in my mind trying to solve a problem on my own. Maybe you can relate?

But God does not want us to live our lives anxious and afraid. Over and over again in Scripture, we read the words, “do not be afraid.” In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus taught the people not to worry. He reminded us that God takes care of the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. Why wouldn’t He take care of us, too? Plus, He pointed out just how useless worrying actually is: “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” The reality is, when I worry, I rob myself of peace but accomplish nothing else.

Thankfully, when we are anxious and afraid, there is something that we can do—turn our worries into prayer. Our worries shouldn’t prompt us to imagine the worst possible scenario, our worries should prompt us to pray!

In today’s verses, the apostle Paul, told us not to worry about anything. Instead, we should pray and ask God for help. He said that we can make our requests made known to God and when we do, our hearts and minds will be guarded and protected by the peace of God, a peace that is beyond our ability to fully comprehend.

But Paul isn’t the only apostle to prescribe prayer for worry. Peter also urged believers: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7, NIV). My daughter’s Bible simply translated this verse: “Turn all your worries over to him. He cares about you” (NIRV). I like to picture writing my worries down on a piece of paper and then placing that list in the Lord’s loving and capable hands.

When we worry, we have to get our brains to switch gears. If we try to clear our heads, the intrusive worries can weasel their way back in. But if we occupy our minds with prayer and remind ourselves of the truth that God loves us and is taking care of us, our minds are too busy talking to God to worry.

It’s like when I want to stop eating junk food. I can’t just stop eating junk food, I have to fill up on something else. Otherwise, I’ll be hungry and I’ll be tempted to eat more junk. But if I have already filled up on healthy food, there will be less room for junk. The same goes for our minds. We have to fill them up with truth and focus our thoughts on prayer or we will slip back into worry.

If we are seeking spiritual health, we have to get rid of unhealthy thinking by thinking healthy thoughts instead. The best way to do that? Read God’s Word and turn your worries into prayers. Don’t be anxious about anything. Tell God what you need. And His inexplicable peace will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

Respond

Father, I confess that sometimes I allow my anxious thoughts to run away with me. Help me to overcome fear and anxiety. Teach me to turn my worries into prayers and to hand them over to You. I want my heart and my mind to be protected by Your perfect peace. Amen.

Reveal

The next time someone opens up to you about being anxious or afraid, offer to pray out loud for them. Help them to turn their worries into prayers.