Nougat 11

After yesterday’s Nougat, I felt as if we had not hammered down the full idea behind overcoming worry. So here we go again. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat

Philippians 4:6 AMP‬

[6] Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.

Prayer, Petition, and Thanksgiving

Did you notice it, too? That we’re not just told pray, but we’re called to pray and petition with thanksgiving. That’s not light work, folks. That’s some dedicated time before God’s Throne of grace, especially if/when we’re seeing no response. Let’s ponder these words a bit more

– Prayer

The term used here for prayer, that is, proseuche, occurs 13 times in the New Testament. And when it isn’t overtly accompanied by ‘fasting’, it references earnestness, devotion, constancy, continuity, consistency, and steadfastness. This is the type of prayer that accompanied Jesus on that long night in the Garden (Luke 6:12) before His trial and crucifixion. Yet it is slightly nuanced, so it differs from the illustration on prayer offered by Jesus in Luke 18. Strongs suggests that it’s also a place and not only an action.

Siblings, for us to move to a place of prayer, intimates that we’re fervent and constant – like the widow. Are we willing to prevail in prayer in the temple of our hearts when things are not perfect? How much energy will we invest in prayer instead of worrying?

– Petition (Supplication)

This is another type of prayer. Here, Deesei is used, which refers to entreaty or intercession. It is a seeking prayer that invites God’s direct intervention in an imposing situation. We could also interpret it as intercession. Strongs cites a theologian who suggests that when used in byzantine Greek, it could include a written petition to God or someone in authority.

So we entreat or enlist God’s aid in those circumstances that are beyond us and could elicit worry. It feels like King Hezekiah’s prayer, when he placed the letters of reproach before God, inviting God’s intervention (see 2 Kings 19).

– Thanksgiving

In situations that would breed anxiety, we pray. We pray earnestly and fervently, petitioning God’s Throne, believing that God will do what needs to be done. And because we pray (and fast) in faith, we have the leeway to be thankful in advance. Yes, we do.

One singer/songwriter says God told him, praise (thanksgiving) confuses the enemy. I guess that’s because we willfully choose to believe God will come through for us, rather than yield to worry and fear.

Which will we choose? I propose that having spent time in earnest petitioning prayer, we praise God in advance. Let’s keep at it.

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May all we seek be found in Christ