Victory Over Worry Through Prayer Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:4-9

PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

We worry about many things in our lives: Health (disease) House Work Study Love Money Future Ministry

Paul’s instructions for overcoming worry is found in Philippians 4:4-9 “Don’t worry about anything. Rejoice in the Lord always.”

Paul was in prison but he rejoiced in the Lord…

Why? Because Paul presented all his requests to God and had faith in God.

What is our reaction to our. situation right now What is our reaction to our situation right now? To the things we worry about?

Principles for how to experience peace instead of worry, through prayer:

1. Principle of Rejoicing “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice!” – Philippians 4:4  we need an attitude of joy, even when we face trials

2. Principle of God’s Presence “The Lord is near.” – Philippians 4:6  God is never far away, He is always ready to help us

3. “Don’t Worry” Principle “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6

4. Principle of Humble Prayer We don’t make demands of God, we just humbly bring our requests to him.

5. Principle of Thanksgiving Take time to really thank God for all his blessings, provisions, answers to prayer, and for his salvation in Christ.

6. Principle of God’s Peace “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians. 4:7  the promised result of prayer is peace

7. Principle of Belonging to Jesus God hears our prayers and gives us peace because we belong to Jesus, because he has bought us with his blood on the cross, and we have trusted him as our Lord and Savior.

Do you know today that you belong to Jesus Christ Do you know today that you belong to Jesus Christ? Have you surrendered to him and trusted him as your Savior and Lord?

Give your life to Jesus. Trust Him as your personal Lord and Savior.

8. Principle of Focusing on the Positive “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” – Philippians . 4:9  we are God’s servants

God wants us to be free from worry so we can focus our time and attention on doing the work that God gives us to do wherever he places us in this world.

Choosing Peace over Worry

Results of worry over our lives: Sickness Loss of Joy Anger Complaining attitude toward God and others Guilt about displeasing God

Matthew 6:31-34 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat Matthew 6:31-34 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Consider the results when we choose not to worry, but instead turn our anxieties over to God in prayer.

Instead of sickness, we have good health Proverbs 17:22 says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Instead of loss of joy, we have greater joy and supernatural peace Paul says that “God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand” - Philippians. 4:7

Instead of anger, we have gentleness and peace in dealing with others

Instead of complaining, we will have positive attitude of thankfulness toward God and others.

Instead of displeasing God with our worry through guilt, we honor and please God by trusting him

The results of worry The results of not worrying 1 Sickness Good health 2 Lose of joy and peace Greater joy and supernatural peace 3 Anger Gentleness and peace in dealing with others 4 Complaining attitude toward God and others Positive attitude of thankfulness 5 Guilt about displeasing God Pleasing God

Putting it into Action For example you have been assigned a very challenging project in your job… Let’s use the principles we learned from Paul’s words in Philippians 4 as a guide on how to respond to this.

1, apply the Principle of Rejoicing in the Lord

2, apply the Principle of God’s Presence

3, the “Don’t Worry” Principle

4, the Principle of Humble Prayer

5, apply the Principle of Thanksgiving

6, apply the Principle of God’s Peace in Place of Worry

7, apply the principle of Belonging to Jesus

8, apply the principle of Focusing on the Positive

Applying these Principles: I will rejoice always I will believe God is always near I will say “NO” to worry I will humbly pray in anything and everything I will give thanks to God for how He will answer my prayers I will claim God’s peace and allow Him to guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus I will believe that I belong to Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior I will focus my mind on positive things

May prayer become your weekly or daily habit instead of worry May prayer become your weekly or daily habit instead of worry. May you experience supernatural peace in Christ Jesus instead of anxiety. GO IN PEACE!

“If today is my last day, what attitude will I have for today?” I will never worry about a single thing for the rest of my life until the day I die. I will confess my sin of worry by asking God for his forgiveness, and I will receive his peace through Jesus Christ.

Victory Over Worry Through Prayer Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:4-9