11.3. BE PRAYERFUL (Philippians 4:6)

Philippians 4:6 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

Paul gets to the heart of carefree living. Praise and prayer - chase away care. "Be careful" (KJV), "anxious" (NKJV), has taken on a new meaning, in other words, "watchful necessity." We must take care what we say and do. Here the apostle is striking at fretful anxiety. It was the same word used by Jesus to Martha.

Luke 10:41-42 "And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

"Do not worry" is mentioned six times in Matthew 6:25-34 (NKJV). Not to be anxiously concerned about material things. A disquieting contrast. Life now is "careful and troubled about many things" and we should be "anxious for nothing". Our only assurance for being "anxious for nothing" is by being prayerful in everything. Unload your cares by prayer. The Lord is near to hear (Philippians 4:6 ). Four forces are called upon to rout the invasion of cares:

"By prayer", worship, adore or implore - we pray.

"And supplication" - involves urgent prayer for our personal needs. Voiced or unvoiced - like the weeping prophet in a low dungeon, we appeal.

Lamentations 3:56 "You have heard my voice: 'Do not hide Your ear From my sighing, from my cry for help.'"

When too low for anything else, He will hear the heavy breathings of our troubled breast.

"With thanksgiving." There is always something to be thankful for. Praise instead of complaining, overcomes care.

"Let your requests be made known unto God." In other words, 'ask and it will be given to you'. Note the contrasting parallelism of thought in Philippians 4:5,6. Gentleness to be known to men - requests to God. Tell Jesus.

11.4. BE PEACEFUL (Philippians 4:7)

Philippians 4:7 "and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Prayer always leads to peace. Peace guards from care. Peace depends on our right relationship to God. Wrong within - wrong without. Inside peace stems outside invasion.

	Our peace is divine - "The peace of God". Peace with God through the cross - peace of God through commitment.
	Our peace is sublime - "Which surpasses all understanding". Unexplainable - inexhaustible - unchangeable.
	Our peace is vigilant - "Will guard". Kept with a garrison.

2 Corinthians 13:11 "... and the God of love and peace shall be with you."

Satan delights to get our minds taken up with worry. God's peace keeps our hearts and minds. With the "peace from God" and "the peace of God" we will triumph and be peaceful.

11.5. BE MINDFUL (Philippians 4:8, 9)

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--- meditate on these things."

What an amazing list of goodness is presented for our consideration. Such thinking will affect our character.

Proverbs 23:7 "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: ..."

This rule for mental help ensures peace of mind and purity of life.

Whatever things are:

	"TRUE" - to God, our faith, obligations.
	"NOBLE" - "honourable, grave - Greek - 'semnos', august, venerable, honourable, reverent.
	"JUST " - which are justly coming to us, do to our fellow men - Obviously right, towards others. 1 Timothy 3:8 "Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money," 1 Timothy 3:11 "Likewise their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things." Titus 2:2 "that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;"
	"PURE" - innocent, modest, uncontaminated by sin.
	"LOVELY" - loveable - friendly towards - acceptable.
	"GOOD REPORT" - what is good to hear - well spoken of, reputable.

John 13:17 "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. What is at the heart of carefree living? (Philippians 4:6 ).

2. Can you testify to receiving peace from God, and do you know the peace of God? (Philippians 4:7 ).

3. What dominates your thinking? Can you think the list of good things of Philippians 4:8 with the help of the Holy Spirit?