Worrying About Money? Let the Bible Help预览

Day 2: Substitute Prayer For Worry

“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)

Don’t worry. Just don’t do it!

Oh, that changes everything, thank you!

If only it were that simple. The Bible very directly tells us not to worry, but it seems like such a difficult thing to overcome! But I love how practical the Bible is. Philippians 4 actually gives us a formula for how to get out of this trap!

“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)

Here we see God telling us to let go of anxiety by replacing worry with prayer and thanksgiving.  

I once heard someone say that to get your trust in God you must purposefully take your trust out of something else. So, the bad thing you are worried could happen (or maybe is happening) needs to have less of your attention and you must very intentionally place your attention and trust in God. 

It isn’t automatic and it isn’t always easy. While you are praying, thank God for all He has done for you, to you and through you. Then finally, make your needs known to Him.

Many times over the years, I have found myself in a challenging financial position and found myself praying for finances. There really is no better move you can make than going to God in prayer with your request. 

I always try to start with simply being thankful. The reason is to remind my brain that God is for me. And He has done a whole lot for me in the past. This helps me remember that if He has helped me in the past, He will help me again now and in the future. 

I often find that He leads me to commonsense changes or ideas as an answer to my prayer. As you pray, listen in your heart for God’s prompting and direction on simple changes and next steps you are to take, then be ready to respond with action when He gives you direction!

God’s response to our prayer is always better than all the best money-saving strategies the world can offer.