How do we extricate ourselves from the web of worry and anxiety? Here is help from the apostle Paul. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6).

Philippians 4:6 is part of a series of exhortations. “Rejoice in the Lord al ways; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit he known to all men. The Lord is near… finally, brethren, what ever is true, whatever is honorable, what ever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, arid the God of peace will be with you” (Phil. 4:4-5, 8-9).

Exhortations call for action. They de mand doing.

Philippians 4:7, 9 gives specific out comes. ‘The peace of God, which sur passes all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus… .The God of peace will be with you.”

This peace is the exact opposite of worry and anxiety. Following God’s di rection in each exhortation results in peace of heart and conscience. The principle is true for anxiety as well as the other matters Paul mentions in Philippians 4:4-9.

What, therefore, is the Holy Spirit’s answer to worry? What action must believers take to overcome anxiety? “Let your requests he made known to God.” Pray. Anxiety is a control issue. We lack control. We fret and worry.

Our lack of control does not indicate things are out of control. Everything is in God’s control. This is not essentially a lesson in sovereignty, predestination, and election. These doctrines are, however, very pertinent. Prayer is an acknowledgment of God’s control and a sign of our dependence on God. There is little sense in praying if God is not in control. There is little sense making our requests known if God cannot guide all, direct all, contain all. Prayer acknowledges God’s control and our dependence upon Him.

In addition, prayer is a means of grace. “The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption, are His ordinances, especially the Word, sacraments, and prayer…” (Westminster Shorter Catechism, Answer 88). Prayer is a means God uses to bring about His sovereign will. We pray. God exercises control. We receive benefits from Him. One of these benefits is peace of heart and conscience (Phil. 4:7; Westminster Shorter Catechism, Answer 36).

The Holy Spirit also tells us when and how to make our requests. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests he made known to God The exhortation to prayer includes every circumstance of life along with thanks giving.

Must we give thanks for evil, such as the miscarriage of baby or an obvious miscarriage of justice? No! However, we must realize that in every situation God is doing something good. In every situation God is doing something good for us. Romans 8:28 is not a cliche. The good God has a good reason for evil. He will bring about good out of seemingly evil and desperate situations for His people. We can give thanks for this.

Supplication is strong prayer, entreaty, request, and petition. The emphasis is upon repetition. We must ask and keep asking; knock and keep knocking. We must importune, press our case with God, and persistently seek His face. We must labor in prayer.

Do we experience deep anxiety? God presents peace of heart and mind. The link is prayer.