Philippians 4:6 Being Anxious For Nothing
In Everything By Prayer
Philippians is a tribute to Paul’s sufferings and when Paul writes about being anxious for nothing, he is writing from experience. Paul had been shipwrecked, stoned, beaten, insulted and falsely accused, yet here he was commending the Philippian church to be anxious for nothing.
Anxiety is prevalent in contemporary society both in the secular and non secular arena. It takes on many forms, though to name just a few it includes anxiety attacks, depression and disorders. Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit wrote for our encouragement also. Here then, is the heavenly prescription for anxiety.
Everything By Prayer
Everything means everything. In 1 Peter 5:7 Paul writes "cast all your cares on Him for he careth for you." How often did Jesus pray on his own, or with His disciples or with His Father away from distractions? The Bible encourages to pray at all times and to pray without ceasing (James 5:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Be Anxious For Nothing
The word used for anxious here is ‘merimnao’. It is the same word mentioned in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount instructing his followers not to worry about what they will eat or what clothes they will wear. Neither passage is advocating ridding oneself of responsibilities. There is though, a care of fear and distrust which is not helpful nor Biblical.
The remedy provided can be expressed a little bit like an equation.
Prayer and thanksgiving plus supplication and requests = the peace of God
Supplication
This is a term not frequently used today. It means to appeal or make a petition. A helpful example is a beggar as a supplicant making a petition to a lord. God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5) Believers can boldly approach the throne of grace but only on His terms.
Thanksgiving
Believers should be grateful to God as an act of worship, entering his courts with thanksgiving in their hearts and praise toward Him. Recalling His goodness will draw them away from the immediacy of their concerns and will remind them of His faithful and patient dealings with them in the past.
Requests
Paul doesn’t state that everyone will get what they want but he does say that the peace of God will garrison their hearts. When a request is made through prayer, thanksgiving and supplication one must pray in His name and according to His will and purpose. If anyone is uncertain of what His will is, then they must humbly request that God reveals that to them also.
Peace of God
Everyone is talking about peace but what they really need is the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. The peace of God here is a close dynamic equivalent to the Hebrew ‘Shalom’ and relates to peace in all areas and aspects. Ultimately, Jesus is the Christian’s peace (Ephesians 2:14) and the peace he provides is so much better than what the world can offer since it is everlasting!
The Peace of God Will Guard Our Hearts And Minds Through Christ Jesus
The word guard used here is a military term. Philippi was a Roman colony so they could relate to Paul’s encouraging words. In the AV it is rendered keep. A keep pertains to a castle, citadel or fortress. The idea is that the guard is vigilant, watching over and protecting the inhabitants.
The Christian duty is to love the Lord with all their heart, soul and mind. His grace towards us is that He guards them. What’s more Jesus neither slumbers, nor sleeps and He is ever vigilant, watching over and guarding His own. Christ Jesus is forever able to intercede and mediate, as He is stationed at the right hand of the Father.
Be Anxious for Nothing
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Everything By Prayer
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