By The Rev. Ron Purkey
Guest Columnist
(Read Philippians 4:1-13)
“Be [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God“ (Philippians 4:6).
Historians will probably call our era “the age of anxiety.” Anxiety is the natural result when our hopes are centered in anything short of God and his will for us.
Believers will have God’s presence (Philippians 4:1-5). “The Lord is at hand” does not mean “his coming is soon,” but that he is near to help us right now. In verse 2 there were two women in the Philippian church at odds with each other, and Paul encouraged them to make things right. Remember this: worry often comes when we do not make things right with people. We must face differences honestly and do what God wants us to do (see Matthew 18:15-17).
Believers will have God’s peace (Philippians 4:6-9). “Peace with God” is the result of faith in Christ (Romans 5:1); “the peace of God” and the presence of “the God of peace” will come when the believer practices right thinking, right praying, and right living. Worry is tension between the mind and heart. The peace of God will guard (garrison) our hearts and minds if we but meet the conditions he gives.
Believers must have right praying (Philippians 4:6-7). Not just praying, but right praying. The Bible nowhere says that any kind of praying will bring peace to our hearts. What is right praying?
It begins with adoration, for this is what the word “prayer” means in verse 6. This is love, enjoying the presence of God, honoring him in worship. Rushing into his presence and begging for peace of mind will never get results. We must bow before him in worship and let him search our hearts and minds.
Next comes supplication, which means the earnest, sincere desire of the heart. True prayer comes from the heart, not the lips. What a joy it is to present our requests to him!
Finally, there is appreciation or thanksgiving (see Ephesians 5:20 and Colossians. 3:15-17). It takes faith to thank him for uncomfortable circumstances or for requests not yet granted. How God loves to hear his children thank him! Read Daniel 6:10 and you will see that this is the way Daniel prayed. No wonder he had such peace in that lions’ den!
Believers must have right living (Philippians 4:9-13). If there is something in my life I dare not pray about, then I will never have peace. Right living always brings peace; see Isaiah 32:17 and 48:18, 22. It is not enough to use the Bible as a basis for praying and claiming its promises; we must also use it as a basis for our living, obeying its precepts.
Read carefully James 4:1-11 and notice that wrong praying (verse 3), wrong living (verse 4), and wrong thinking (verse 8) produce war instead of peace! Remember, “ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).
Read Ron Purkey’s Bible study outlines free at rcpbibleoutlines.com. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist minister for 50 years.
