Read: Philippians 4:4-7
In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (v. 6)
Today’s verses from Philippians are famous, and like any familiar passage, repetition can sap their power. But Paul reminds us of something incredible. Christians do not need to make elaborate sacrifices or seek the mediation of a priest to speak to God. We have direct access to him whenever we pray.
Prayer reconnects you to your redeemer and maintains your relationship with him. It helps you properly order your priorities, and it reminds you that you are in the hands of an Almighty God who will never abandon you. When you pray, you aren’t lobbing up words to the empty sky. You are having a conversation with the one who made you and who loves you as a father loves his child. And unlike an earthly father, our heavenly father always both hears what you say and knows what you truly need. This is why Paul says we can present our requests to God with thanksgiving.
Most of us know that prayer is important and many of us schedule time for prayer during our day. It is right and good to have specific times for prayer, but your goal should also be to pray constantly—to make prayer the primary way to process your daily experience. If you do, your life can abound with gratitude, joy, and peace. Today, make a conscious effort to turn your thought process into an act of prayer.
As you pray, thank God for always listening, and ask him to teach you how to listen to him.
About the Author
Jane Olson is a college counselor and high school teacher. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and children.
