Count Your Blessings: Don't Worry ... Pray!

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Count Your Blessings: Don't Worry ... Pray!

Understanding Depression: Overcoming Despair through Christ

Living Free Every Day®

Today's Scripture
"Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel." Philippians 4:6-7 CEV

Thoughts for Today
Worry seems like a very natural human trait. Strange because it never accomplishes anything except perhaps harming our health and robbing us of peace. But we still tend to worry. Webster defines worry as mental distress or agitation resulting from concern.

Today's scripture gives God's antidote for worry: prayer. "Pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God."

When we pray, we need to offer up our prayers and requests to Godand leave them there. Too often we pray the words and hold on to the worry. As has been said, we need to let goand let God. Trust him, knowing that he is able, that he is love, that his way is always best. When we do this, God will bless us with a peace so great and wonderful that no human can understand it. And his peace will control the way we think and feel. True peace even amidst the storm.

Consider this
Are you worried about something right now? Are you ready to give it to Jesus and to trust him with it?

Several years ago a popular song exhorted us "Don't worry Be happy." But the Bible gives us the ultimate answer: Don't worry Pray!

Prayer
Lord, I have been worried about this. In fact, I have been so worried that I am really stressed. And, of course, my worry isn't solving the problem. I commit this need to you and I trust you to work it out according to your plan. I know that's the best plan. Help me to truly let go and rest in your peace. In Jesus' name

These thoughts were drawn from

Understanding Depression: Overcoming Despair through Christ by Donald G. Miles, Ed.D. This study deals with depression, a condition common throughout the world, and is suggested for use in support groups and Christian counseling.

Understanding what depression is and how it affects relationships
Understanding the relationship between depression and spiritual warfare
Ways to fight depression with scripture, prayer and mutual support
Understanding the special prayer needs of depressed persons
How to pray for healing and what to expect
Serves as a powerful evangelistic tool by providing a way to minister to people's felt needs and then lead them to Christ

Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.

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