Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. — PHILIPPIANS 4:6

The Amplified translation of this verse begins, “Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything . . . .”

Christians usually practice only part of this verse — the part that says to pray. But if we practice that part and not the part about not having anxiety, we’re not practicing the Word. We’re not being a doer of the Word.

First, God’s Word says, “Do not fret . . . .” If you’re going to fret and be anxious, it won’t do you any good to make requests. Your prayers will not work.

I read a story years ago about a man, his wife, and grown son, who were in a field chopping cotton. The son wasn’t quite right mentally. Storm clouds appeared, and it began to thunder, but the old man wanted to continue working. Then the lightning became bad. The family began to run for shelter. When it looked as though they weren’t going to make it, the parents fell to their knees and began to pray. “Come on, Ma and Pa,” the boy cried. “A scared prayer ain’t no account.”

There’s much truth to that. That’s what the Spirit of God is saying through Paul. So, when you pray, “Be careful for nothing . . . .”

Confession: I do not fret or have any anxiety about anything.