“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

I have always loved Paul’s teaching on prayer in Philippians 4. His command to not be anxious is so challenging. After all, Paul is telling me not to worry about things in my life while accessorizing his wardrobe with chains. No, not the Mr. T kind – the “you didn’t think you were going anywhere did you?” kind.

So Paul tells us not to be anxious. Stop worrying. Maybe he had some kind of premonition that worry and stress are unhealthy and lead to all kinds of disorders, diseases, and dis-function. But that wasn’t the main reason. The main reason is that our worry and anxiety tell a story about our lack of trust in God. “I don’t think he is concerned, I don’t think he is involved, I think this is up to me, and/or I definitely don’t think He is working this out for the good.” These are the heart proclamations of those that worry.

So Paul says don’t worry, and then he gives an alternative. Pray. Instead of getting all worked up about stuff, present your requests to God. What a great plan with an even better reward.

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

But just this week I noticed a little something extra in the formula. Thanksgiving. Paul added that in there to remind us it isn’t about the formula. It isn’t about the do’s and the don’ts. It’s about the gospel. It always is for Paul, and it always should be for us. The gospel is the only reason God hears our prayers.

The Bible says that God doesn’t hear the prayers of sinners. Without Jesus, our prayers are like those legendary trees that fall in the woods with no one around, thus failing to actually make a sound. Through the cross, Jesus gave us His righteousness, and now God sees us through Jesus and listens to us. Be thankful.

We don’t need to worry since God actually will listen to our prayers and He truly is concerned and involved in our lives. So be thankful. Be thankful that you can pray. Be thankful that you can give him requests. Be thankful that He listens. Be thankful for Jesus. Because without Jesus, none of that happens.

I can also be thankful when I pray knowing that this is so much bigger than me. These little issues that I deal with, when I give them to God as requests, He takes them and brings about His glory. John 14:13 says that God answers prayers so that He can bring glory to Himself. I pray instead of worry about stuff, and God’s trustworthiness and sufficiency are put on display. I pray instead of worry about stuff and God gets all the credit when He answers those prayers. I pray instead of worry about stuff and I become more and more thankful for Him.

Stop worrying. Start praying. With thanksgiving.