A Sandwich of a Request

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Yesterday we said how it’s normal to be sad, to mourn, and to cry when loss occurs.  But this verse reminds us that in “every situation” there’s a way to react so that we don’t slide down that deep decline into the pit of sorrow and despair where some are left to rot without a ladder on which to climb.

We’re told something in this verse, and the picture is sort of presented like a sandwich.  The top of the sandwich is this – don’t be anxious about anything.  The bottom of the sandwich is this - present your requests to God. So most of us digest this verse like a sandwich with nothing inside – missing the real flavor of the bite!

We try to not be anxious, by simply asking God for help.  But we all know that just trying and just asking doesn’t usually help a whole heck of a lot.

The missing ingredients are these: prayer, petition, and thanksgiving.

That’s how we approach the Lord. 

Prayer is not just petition.  Remember the Lord’s Prayer? Most of it is acknowledging who God is, before we ever ask him for a thing.  Then we ask.  And finally we give thanks.  This is like the meat, cheese, and dressing to make up the sandwich that satisfies our inner being.

Are you anxious? Acknowledge your father in heaven, that his name is holy, that his kingdom is everlasting, that his will is sovereign, and then…ask him for what you need…and finally, close the deal with thanking him for who he is.