Greetings once again from the podcast during this holiday week. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving for us in the United States and Canada. We would like to discuss the central theme of Thanksgiving found in Paul’s letters. I mentioned during last year’s Thanksgiving that the apostle Paul uses the word “thanks” approximately fifty times in his epistles. According to New Testament scholar David Pao, who once wrote (quoting Paul Schubert): “The apostle Paul uses the word ‘thanks’ more than any other Hellenistic author, pagan or Christian”; the apostle Paul mentions the subject of Thanksgiving more frequently per page than any other Hellenistic author, pagan or Christian (Thanksgiving, 15).
Paul frequently discussed the Thanksgiving holiday. Moreover, he mentioned it when discussing prayer and anxiety. Paul advises in Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.” Get over your anxiety through prayer. And begin your Thanksgiving celebration with a prayer. The pastor will now explain.
Please consult Philippians 4:7. It is more deeply ingrained in the entire context of this letter than you may have imagined, and it is extremely famous and cherished. I want to emphasize the relationship between Philippians 4:6-7 and Paul’s primary objectives for this letter.
Finally, he urges them to pray for the first time. This was previously implied, but it is now evident. Instead of worrying about anything, you should worry about everything. (4:6) Philippians This is an important term. Do you pray for every situation? Everything? When Paul said, “Pray without ceasing,” he likely meant “pray about everything” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Do you walk in a spirit of contact with God that constantly sends up needs, especially gratitude, sometimes consciously and sometimes subconsciously? ” I require help with this discussion. Due to my poor hearing, I am having difficulty understanding that person’s accent. I require assistance at the dining room table immediately. Do you act in this manner?
Do not be anxious about anything; instead, make your requests known to God through prayer, petition, and thanksgiving. And in Christ Jesus, the peace of God, which surpasses human comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds. Philippians 4:17–19
Prayer, both general and particular
As there are words everywhere, this prayer order is comprehensive. Pray, “Do not be concerned about anything, but in all things.” Do you see the connection? In light of the fact that you have faith in God and that he has promised to be there for you and assist you, you have no reason to be anxious. It is believed that prayer relieves tension in this manner.
It must be comprehensive and extensive in another sense. Rather than listing the one hundred things that God does in response to prayer, he discusses only two things, which are essentially two sides of the same coin. Initially, one of the results of prayer is “Do not be afraid.” Instead of worrying about anything, make your requests known to God through prayer and petition with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6). Therefore, when you pray for everything, the first thing to disappear is your anxiety. I care about you, so place all your concerns on my shoulders. This is how Peter expresses it (1 Peter 5:7).
The “peace of God,” which is the antithesis of anxiety, enters and governs your heart and mind, protecting them in the process. This is the second event that takes place. In a negative manner, try to end your anxiety through prayer. Additionally, seek perpetual tranquility by praying under all circumstances.
Under the cover of God’s incomprehensible peace, traverse the troubled world – the ministry, the family, Europe, the refugee, the political, and the financial – with compassion. not even close It exceeds and surpasses the capabilities of human logic. Paul adds, “Enjoy peace through prayer” in response to the question, “Yes, but how could you have peace when that’s happening?” No human response exists for the word “how.” This is why the phrase “beyond human comprehension” is present. Human comprehension cannot explain how you maintain composure in this circumstance. It is for the stated reason. God brings about peace in response to prayer, not through human logic. It is a wonderful experience.
Philippians Is Crucial
Let’s now consider how these two aspects of verses 6 and 7—eliminate anxiety through prayer and experience peace with God—relate to the overall context we’ve been examining in Philippians.
On the first day, I based my argument on Philippians 1:20–21: “My sincere expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed at all, but that Christ will be glorified in my body with complete courage, whether by life or by death. For me, it is profitable to die and live as Christ did. That is the primary objective of this letter: Christ expanded physically in your presence. Make him look appropriate whether he is alive or dead. You are on the planet for this purpose. Your family and ministry exist because of this. Make Christ appear regal, for that is his nature. This massive image in Philippians depicts this.
We also observed that Paul is accurate. “Lead lives worthy of the gospel” is a synonym for “make Christ look magnificent.” Philippians 1:27–28 indicates. Live without fear in the face of the enemy and cultivate loving relationships with other Christians. He asserts that the world will view your compassion and bravery as a representation of “your salvation” and “their ruin” (Philippians 1:28).
When you are fearless in the face of your enemy, you are filled with love, motivated by humility, consider others to be more important than yourself, and prioritize the interests of others. Then it becomes a sign. It serves as evidence to the outside world that Christ is all-satisfying for these people. Jesus will provide for their every need. They only require Christ. This intrigues me because I do not comprehend it. That is the overall picture.
How does this relate to the instruction in Philippians 4:6 to pray? The answer is found in Philippians 1:27–28, which states, “Do not be anxious about anything.” The reference in Philippians 1:28 to facing the enemy without fear is another way of saying “do not be anxious.” Do not be frightened when standing before administrators at the institution, in the legislature, or others who disagree with your position on something. Alternatively, Philippians 4:6 advises, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in all things, make your needs known to God.” All of this indicates that prayer is the key to understanding this book.
