Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. – Philippians 4:6 NLT

Are you worried and in need of healing of an illness or maybe healing of the heart? Are you feeling worry due to excessive stress or fear? Maybe worry has taken root concerning protection or provision? Whatever you are worried about, big or seemingly small; pray. I spent many sad years doing the exact opposite of what this verse instructs us to do. I would worry and fret, making myself miserable and wondering why God wasn’t just making it all better. But sadly, it never really occurred to me to pray. I just assumed that since God already knew what I was going through He would just take care of it. I would think, “He loves me and has good plans for me, won’t He just accomplish those plans without my prayers?” Then after a very lengthy amount of time went by, I began to pray and make requests of what I needed. But I would only do it after even more worry and fear would pile up, until it was almost unbearable. Yes, I would come to Him, but in those weak and weary prayers, I would just beg for help over and over and over again, while I kept recounting and rehashing all I was going through. I wasn’t bringing it to God and releasing control, and I certainly wasn’t praising Him or acting very thankful for His presence when I was in a time of hurting.

Finally, though, after repeating this pattern and a great deal of time had gone by, I eventually got it. This verse ultimately clicked in my mind as to what I was missing all this time. Before the worry happens, the prayers need to pour out, and after the requests are made the thanks can be expressed. Whenever ANYTHING comes up in life, we can run to God first, before all the worry has a chance to settle in. We can pray big bold prayers, but in those requests for help or guidance, we can praise Him and thank Him. Let’s run through our minds every attribute of God that we have been able to memorize, and proclaim over and over again who He is.

By making these shifts, things have changed dramatically for me. Don’t get me wrong, I still get worked up and worried at times. I still have concerns and fears, but my prayer life has changed and in that I have a confidence in God that I never experienced before, and it is life-altering.

So today, dear friend, don’t let it take you years to turn to God first while praising Him along the way. Your life will change in the most comforting and peace-filled way when you have that closeness in prayer. He is your Friend, your Helper, your Guide, and your Savior. Take it all to Him and rest knowing He is there.