By Prayer

Like dwindling road,
In the eyes of my mind,
Are tales so broad,
That wound and bind.

They course around,
Like river flowing,
With rushing sound,
As winds are blowing.

I have many questions,
For the farther future,
The dream beckons,
But I tiptoe, unsure.

Many are my cares,
And so are my needs,
Yet, my soul I bare,
To God whom I plead.

I laid down at His feet,
All I want and need.
In surrender and defeat,
My all I bring and give.

My present is held by God,
The days to come are His.
All I had, have, and will have,
I thank Him with contented bliss.

Is there something that you need today? Is there something that troubles you? Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us to take it all to the Lord in prayer, and we shall experience the peace that comes from God.

In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition 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 thoughts in Christ Jesus.

– Philippians 4:6-7 (WEB)

I find the two words in the verse powerfully meaningful – nothing and everything, We are to be anxious in nothing, but we are to pray with thanksgiving in everything. What a powerful message! Starting now I can say, ” I have nothing to worry about. I have God with me and I give it all to Him!” I know this truth, but meditating on this verse tonight led me to have a deeper realization on how I can apply it more in my life.

Sometimes I find myself too engrossed thinking about my plans and my needs and then the Lord reminds me to keep on trusting Him by committing all my cares to Him. This verse reminds me to guard my thoughts as I think about my needs and the things I long or plan to do in the future. When we become too preoccupied with the things we want to do, we tend to worry. But, if we think of them by praying about them and entrusting them to God, we allow God to guard our hearts and thoughts. Prayer has this great blessing to the one who prays – peace of God. We can have peace in the middle of the storm when we put our faith in the God of peace. One way to demonstrate our faith is by praying to God and expecting His answer according to His will.

The Word of God never fails. In my personal life, every time I feel worried, down, discouraged, angry, confused, or depressed, I talk to the Lord about it, and true enough, I feel lighter and at peace. The worry goes away, I would start to feel happier and hopeful. If I am angry, God tames my emotions and replaces my anger with forgiveness and love.

Try to pray for someone you are angry at, and you will definitely experience how God changes your heart toward the person. Try to pray when you are sad, and you will experience how God lightens your mood. Try to pray when you are in need, and God will put a hopeful heart in you, and affirms it by a timely provision. He does it with me every time I pray. He will do it to you, too because it is not about us, but it is about God who stays faithful and gracious from ages past and to ages in the everlasting future.

Keep praying. Keep trusting the Lord.