Prayer Brings Release

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

(Philippians 4:6, NIV)

Have you ever felt like you are only hanging on by a thread? When we are pulled in seemingly every direction, when our anxiety is high, when we are barely keeping it together, what can we do?

Through this COVID season, I have been calling us to “cast our cares upon the Lord,” but this past week has clearly reminded me of how poorly I have been doing that. We carry financial and family concerns, work and church details, even overwhelming feelings and emotions. These too often get the better of us.

In reading Philippians, I was reminded of the verse above … when experiencing anxiety and stress, turn to prayer and thanksgiving. Easier said than done. I often justify myself with saying I am “prayerful”. But there is a need to deliberately turn to God in prayer, reminding myself of all the blessings, choosing thanksgiving even when it feels like there is little to be thankful for.

Let us allow our stress points to be prayer instigators.